DRAFT NO. 2
DRAFT STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE ON HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG
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As I indicated to the House on May 5th,
His Majesty's Government decided, as a precautionary
measure that, in the light of the developing
A
situation in China, the garrison of Hong Kong should
be reinforced by elements of all arms. As I then
have made clear His Majesty's Government/scrupulously
endeavoured to avoid being involved in the war
on the Chinese mainland, but we are no less resolute
as regards the territory of Hong Kong for which
we hold a direct responsibility. I have recently
had the opportunity to pay a short visit to
Hong Kong to examine for myself the conditions in the
Colony and to discuss its problems with the highest civil and military authorities on the spot.
During my stay in Hong Kong between
June 6th and June 9th I conferred with the Governor,
the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East and the local
Commanders of all three Services. I was able to
meet the Executive Council and the Local Defence
Committee. I visited Service units on the mainland