CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 112

00095

IMPSON said that the discussion tee on the report on the size of ecember, 1946 showed the extreme War Office were encountering in lents. It appeared unlikely that

, which formed the regular component

d in Scheme B, would be reached

efore, he agreed that it would be

ritish troops for the garrisoning

d not be possible to find such

his reason that the War Office

steps should be taken as soon as train a police force or gendarmerie gested that whether or not the

able to put the proposuls to the the present time, the War Office oquest the Colonial office to

provision of a police force or

of ensuring the internal security

of the Colony against guerillas,

the issue of whether or not British ely be withdrawn.

1 agreement with the suggestion

ight invite the Colonial Office

auch a police force or gendarmerie.

iscussion that the so forces should contain

ean personnel on lines similar to

which had European officers and

recruited constables.

When the ľ

es was nearing completion, the

r not British forces could be

ong could be considered.

1.

larine Commando brigade now stationed ENERAL LAYCOCK said that he would

ralty the question of their remaining

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cms

Ref:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

1

N

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 condillons and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

id the War Office to raise with the

onial Office the recruitment,

ength and composition of the Hong

Police Force bearing in mind

Lr recommendation that the

portion of European personnel

ild be as high as circumstances nitted.

1 to defer consideration of the

posal to withdraw British forces

n Hong Kong until the organisation

training of the forces in (a) nearing completion.

D. O. (46) 23rd Meeting, Minute 1.

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00096

Ref:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Please note that the copy is suppled subject to the National Archives

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed

"Terms and Con

13031/4/46

SECRET

My dear Stapleton

Downing Street,

8.W.1.

July, 1946.

20 24 July

This is to confirm our conversation on Saturday about the peace-time garrison of Hong Kong. I understood from you that the Chiefs of Staff considered this subject again on Thursday. As it is a matter on which the Governor must evidently be given an opportunity

of expressing his views before a final decision

18 taken, we suggested to you that the Chiefs of staff might wish to defer consideration until we had had time to consult him by telegram.

You told me, however, that you did

not think the Chiefs of Staff would wish to

do this as they would want to reach a decision on the military aspects first. We assume that there will be no question of actually moving any troops from Hong Kong until the Civil Government have been consulted.

We therefore propose to telegraph to Hong Kong as in the attached draft. I should be grateful if you would let me (or in my absence Sabben-Clare) know by telephone whether

you have any comments.

GROUP CAPTAIN D.C. STAPLETON

на

Yours sensuely

(gul) A Backeson

7

r use of it may be subject to copyngi

and Conditions of supply of

15ty of National Archives' leafel

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