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CO 537/1262
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet. Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
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CO 537/1262
THË NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet. Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
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11. In our view the three local service commanders in Hong Kong should be of equal status. Local inter-survice co-ordination should be effected through an inter-service committee consisting of the three local commanders. consider that senior member of the civil administration should be included in the committue to assist in the co-ordination of matters in which both civil and military interests are involved.
12.
Since 0.0.0. Land forces has the major
responsibility for internal security in the Colony and for dealing with Chinese Military nuthorities, we consider that under present conditions, ho should be appointed Chairman of the Committee. This appointment should not however carry the title of Fortress Commander. In this connection it should be noted that the Chiefs of Staff have agreed that Hong Kong should not be organised for defence against an attack by a major pover. To consider that such small scale operations as might develop could adequately be directed by the three Commanders neting jointly.
13.
The arrangement we propose woul: strengthen the hend of the 0.0.0. Land forces in derling with the Chinese and would provide mrchinery for co-ordinating the local activities of the three Services and for handling questions affecting both civil and military authorities. It would avoid the diandvantages of a Fortress Commender to which we have referred in paragraph10 above. Wo therefore prefer our proposal to thrt of Admiral Harcourt.
Relationship between the Services and the Governor
14.
We consider that the Chairman of the inter-service Committee should not as its agent in derling; with the Governor on matters of an inter-servicc nature. Ench of the local commanders should however have oqual right of access to the governor on matters peculiar to his own service.
15. Local disagreements between the Services would bo referred to the Comm..nders-in-Chief concernoil. Conflicts between service and civil requirements, which annot be resolved locally, would be a matter for consultation between the Commanders-in-Chier and the Governor. If these authorities are unable to reach grooment, the question would have to be referred to London,
Long Term Arrangements.
16.
The organisation of command which we advocate above is intended to meet conditions existing in Hong Kong at the present time. A revision of these arrangements may well prove desirable when the situation in Hong Kong has returned to norml, or when pencotime ›rganisation of the higher command in the Far East has been decided.
f 0.0.0.(46) 24th Mecting, Item 5.
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