TOP SECRET.
ADMIRALTY, S. W. 1.
14th May, 1949.
91
CROX
Hong Kong
You should see the enclosed copy of a telegram from the First Naval Member, Australian Commonwealth Naval Board, to the First Sea Lord, about possible Australian contribution to the defence of Hong Kong.
2. For obvious reasons, the First Sea Lord thinks that this telegram can only be used as background information, e.g. in the paper which you and the Colonial Office are reparing for Ministers on this subject.
3. On the other hand, Admiral Collins, the First Naval Member, (who incidentally is quite first class) told us frankly when he was over here a fortnight ago that, while in the past certain important correspondence on naval matters between the two Prime Ministers had been conducted at the Australian end without
M.E. Dening, sq., CG.,OBE.
Foreign Office,
3. W. 1.
consulting/