CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 9

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"THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

CO 537/1262

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 coovriah

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محمد

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Ref.:

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

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

restrictions.

Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.

11. Since G.0.C. Land forces has the major responsibility for internal security in the Colony and for dealing with Chinese Military authorities, we consiler that he should be appointed Chairman of the Committee. This appointment should not however carry the title of Fortress Commnnier.

12, The above arrangement would strengthen the hand of the G.0.C. Land forces in dealing with the Chinese and would provide machinery for co-crlinating the local activities of the three Services and for handling questions affecting both civil and military authorities. It would avoid the dis dvantages of a Fortress Commanter to which we havo referred in par.. 8 above. We therefore prefer our proposal to that of mir 1 Hrocurt.

Relationship between the Services and the Governor

13.

We consider that the Chairman of thc inter-service Committee, should act as its agent in dealing with the Governor on matters of an inter-service nature. Each of the local commanders should however inve equal right of access to the governor on matters peculiar to his own service.

14.

Local disagreements between the Services would be referred to the Commanders-in-Chief concerned. Conflicts between service and civil requirements, which cannot be resolved locally, would be a matter for consultation between the Commanders-in-Chief and the Governor. If these authorities are unable to reach agreement, the question would have to be referred to London.

Long Term arrangements

15. The or mistin of command which we advocate above is intended to meet conditions existing in Hong Kong at the present tine. revision of these arrangements may well prove lesirable when the situation in Hong Kong has returned to normal, or wh.n peace time organisation of the higher command in the Far East has been deciled.

Recommendation

proved be

16. We recommend that a copy of this paper if sent to the Colonial Office as an expression of the views of the Chiefs of Staff.

Offices of the Cabinet and

Minister of Defence, S.7.1.

21ST FEBRUARY, 1946.

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