CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 123

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

CO 537/1260

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lesse note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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use of it may be subject to copyright

CO 537/1260

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Condition

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and of National Archives' leaflet

5.

(iii) The Colonial Office estimate that the Civil

Police Force will be re-established by

1st January, 1947, and are examining, as is

G.0.C. Land Forces in Hong Kong, the

possibility of raising Volunteer Forces,

incluling a Police Reserve, in the Colony.

Wo are now of the opinion that to tie up regular

Britic. troops in the role mentioned in paragraph 3 above

is most uneconomical. We consider that this could instead

be entrusted to less highly equipped and trained forces

such as a Gendarmerie or Police Force akin to the

Palestine Police.

Assistance from units of the British

Pacific Floet and the R..F. is, however, still considered

necessary for anti-piracy operations, and in this respect

the policy already approved need not bu altered since

Hong Kong will continue to be used as the base for the

British Pacific Flaut and as a staging post on our air

transport route to Japan.

6.

Since it is most undesirable that regular british

and Indian troops should be kept in Hong Kong longer

than is absolutely neçessary, we recommend that the

Defence Committee:--

(a) Invite the Colonial Office to prepare

plans for the provision of a Police

Force or Gendarmerie capable of

ensuring the internal security of the

Colony and deterring guerilla incursions;

(b) Approve the policy that the British/Indian

Army Garrison of Hong Kong shall be

withdrawn as soon as the Police Force or

Gendarmerie in (a) is ready to carry out

its functions.

EGE D.0.(46) 7th Meeting, Minute 1

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