THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
2
Ref.:
CO 537/1262
2
ت
END
002 10
wohland
54174
Mimed be grateful for
hy
you cummuli.
by dear Gater,
M
R
? FEB 1946
10th.
January
D
Aud (3)
Our respective Departments have, as you know, been planning with a target date of 1st February in view for the manu-over to Civil Administration in ong Kong. Lowever, Admiral Marcourt was now intimated that he would like the date deferred for one month for the reasons which he gives in his cable A 1349 of 7 January.
2.
hit the lani-over will in any case necessitate a cancel- lation or codification of the two Directives issued to Aumiral Harcourt by the Chiefs of Staff in Aurust last appointing him "Corriander-in-Chief and lead of the kilitory Administratio", And there are indications tuat tue Chiefs of Staff may wish to reconsider the necessity for an Inter-Bervice Commander-in- Grief after the return or a Civil Governor. They may also wish to reconsider the existing chain of command vis-a-vis SA SEA. I feel that the most suitable a proach to get the Chiefs of Staff to consider tais atter might well come in que course from the Jolonial office, anu would surest, if you agree, that the Colonial Office shoulu address the Secretary of the Chiefs of Staff Committee saying that a Governor of ong Kong (? Bir Hark Koung) has been designated and is being briefed for return to the Colony. Could therefore the Chier's of Stait give an indication of what Admiral arcourt's position will be after the return of the Governor.
3. If you agree to write on these lines, the moment migat be opportune also to enquire of the Chiefs of Staff whether or
not they propose to revert to the pre-war arrangement of separate Commanders for each Service.
4. I hope you will agree to take action on this subject, (which will have to be discussed by the Chiefs of Staff sometime in the next few weeks) and I would be grateful for a copy of any letter which you write on the subject.
Jus fincerel
Weed L.Doked.
Sir George Gater, GC, FOR, DSC,
cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1262
Ins
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