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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
of
(Conveyed by the Minister of Defence on behalf of the
Secretary of State for the Colonies).
Having regard to the threat to the security of
Hong Kong, His Majesty's Government have decided to
appoint a Commander to command all the Land, Air and
Local Naval defence forces in Hong Kong. He will be
responsible to the British Defence Co-ordination Committee
through the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East.
2. In this connection His Majesty's Government have had
under consideration the recommendations in your secret
despatch signal No. 15 of 3rd May 1949 that in present circumstances
the Hong Kong Government should continue to take all
possible measures of defence and security, provided they
do not jeopardise the primary function of the Colony as
a trading base.
3. His Majesty's Government fully recognise that it is
most important in the interests of the welfare of the
population of the Colony and of internal security that the
commercial life of Hong Kong should be maintained to the
fullest extent compatible with the developing situation.
Nevertheless, having regard to the threat to the security
of the Colony from external aggression and/or internal
unrest His Majesty's Government have decided that, in the
event of any differences of opinion as to the necessity'
for, or execution of, any security measures, the views
of the Commander, Hong Kong should prevail provided that,
except in cases of extreme urgency, if the difference of
opinion concerns a matter of great importance to the
welfare of the Colony you shall have the right to refer
the matter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies
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