CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 265

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SECRET.

00222

Colonial Office Downing Street, S W.1.

3 January, 1946.

6.

Dear Foursand

Please refer to J.P.(46) 10(8) (Draft) of the 29th January on the subject of Admiral Harcourt's defence plan. We have just sent

to the Chiefs of Staff a memorandum asking them

to consider what arrangements should be made for

the command of the services in Hong Kong now that civi civil administration is about to be resumed and we feel that it would be desirable for further consideration of Admiral Harcourt's defence plan to be deferred until this question is settled.

In any event, we cannot at this stage give a decision on the future of local forces which are mentioned in paras_8(f) and 9(g) of your paper paras 17 of Annex II and para 10 of Annex III (the draft reply to Admiral Harcourt). While we are

in favour, in prioniple, of retaining the H.K.V.D.C. and H.K._.N.V.R., which did good work in the attack on Hong Kong, we cannot say whether this will be Gracticable or not until the civil government which financed and administered these forces, is again in operation and has been consulted. The Governors views may be affected among other things by what decisions are ultimately reached regarding compulsory service in the U.K. and Colonial Empire.

We should be glad therefore, if any remarks

COMMANDER J.P. TOWNSEND.

on/

CO 537/1260

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 Iral your use of it may be subject to copyrigh

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Page 265Page 266

00222

mial Office ing Street,

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anuary, 1948.

6.

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