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CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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Terms

2

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

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N

There was general agreement with this view, and that the paper would require amendment in this sense before despatch to the C-in-C. Hong Kong.

LORD TEDDER suggested that the following amendments might also be mile to the report

-

(i) After para. 4 of the paper and under the

hearling "Policy for Defence of long Kong" a further para. reading..................

"5. The lisposition of forces for garrison duties in S.E.Asia must be governed by the total forces available for the overall area. In view of the small size of the forces available in S.E.Asia, it is essential to keep permanent garrisons in outlying stations such as Hong Kong to the minimum relying on reinforcements from elsewhere within the theatro when necessary.

11

(11) in addition at the end of para. 12 of Annox

II reading...................

"Reinforcements if required being drawn

from elsewhere within the theatre."

As the policy advocated by the Joint Planning Staff

and endorsed by the Chiefs of Staff represented a reversal of our previous policy, it was thought desirable that HIM.G. should be informed of the line which it was now proposed to take. For this purpose, a short report should be prepared by the Joint Planning Staff summarising the reasons for this change in policy. When this new policy had been endorsed by the Defence Committee, the Defence of Bases Committee could be asked to recommend the detailed scale of defences to be provided at Hong Kong

THE COMMITTEE:

(a) Instructed the Joint Planning Starf

to prepare for their consideration

a short report to the Defence Committee recommending that our future policy for the defence of Hong Kong should be to regard it as an open port, and not as a base to be defended against a heavy scale of attack.

(b) Agreed to give the JP, Poport further

consideration, in the light of the conclusions roached by the Defence Comittoo on the rapsht at (4) above when taken before aciklin; it' to · C-in-0., "Hong Kong.

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(46) 24ue HG.

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13€ February, 1846

'e them a report by the Joint

an appreciation by the

g of the defence requirements

ritories during the next five

ment with the statement that

g Kong could not be defendol

wer in occupation of the

It should be our policy to

port rather than as a defended

ld, however, be required of

al law and order and as an

es of local bandits or of a

said that he was doubtful

yito lock up in Hong Kong loral scale proposed. The fleet ford sufficient local protection.

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