CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 548

000 71

of Mita consists of two r.tely the same strungth hirect exchange is not lions from elsewhere could

1 cod by the two from Malta. equired to take over the uties of the existing Milta they should come under the

rdud n attement showing t:. The Chief of Combined

h these commitments must

units of 3 Conmando Brigade

culd yet he worthwhile

y C. the position

n that obtaining in

.t the proposed solution

that it should be effected

judice to the Commando Brigade

inin and omployment when

Committee considers that

available at

ion lift

nts for the dofunce of the

ngly supports the request of nd six L.C.I.(L)s should be

mr.nder-in-Chief B.F.F. states

nd intenance parties

to avoid deterioration of the

Loud for in the Post-War

cud in reserve t long

ver, lunde lend craft and

. U.G. Authorities.

Defence Committee's strong

t atopo should be taken which will

utin: the requirement for

the ix L.C.T.'c must suffice

that the Admiralty should

c. Drtius, which we understand

nd 12 mun. If the craft

hould be ·ossible for

them to be mamed up

..

jesty's shiys rufitting

Comittee has agreed that

Pficient and the Governor hro

1 tht atisfactory arrangements

the provision of adequate

> points re under

anr.

السنسك

Ref.:

CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

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

}

000 72

13.

EVENTUL DEFENCE ARING LENTS

As regards the oventur.l land garrison of Hong Kong the Chiefs of Staff, on considering a suggestion" by the War Office that it was undesirable to tie up permanently regular British troops in Hong Kong, decided to defer consideration of the withdrawal of these forces. They invited the .r office however to examine with the Colonial Office the rising of a Hong Kong police force or gendarmeric capable of ensuring the internal security and local protection of the Colony against guerrill.8.

14.

We understand that the Colonil office preliminary opinion of this proposal is that, in view of the political situation in Chin, they cannot forobou a time when the security

of the Colony could be affected without regular troops and that it would be prom: ture to tackle the question of establishing a local rend rmerie to replace the rrison. They also throw doubts on whether the project would, in fact, result in a ret saving of man-power and point out that there would be fiw.ncial implications to be resolved. Furthermore, the South dust..sin Dufenco Committoe has strongly recommended that garrison of one British brigado and one fild ·rtillery regiment will be required permanently in Hong Kong.

15. " ngrɩo tht replacement of the garrison by gondarmerie

10 impractic blu et prosent but we cannot agree that discussiona to this and should cursu 48 there is much work to be done if this project is ever to be realised.

16.

CONCLUSIONS

Wo conclude that:-

() The strength of the "rrison of Hong Kong should

11 Tossible runnin unaltered until the local

policu ni veluntuor forces ·ra ficiunt, which it is expected will be by April.

(b) The Commenão Brigde should be moved to

Malta ne Boon p it can be relieved by

two British infantry buttalions from elsewhere.

(c) After April, 1947 these two infantry Battalions

together with field rezimunt will constitut.. the prrison of Hong Kong. The fiold rugiment should be revided by J.2.0.5... who should also e.rmırk a inf atry brigade ns r reserve

t call within S. 1.A. Ç.

+

0.0.5.(46) 193(0)

C.0.5. (46) 113th Meeting C.0.5. (46) 116th Mouting:

4-

1

cm

N

Ref

CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Please note that the copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditor

and the your ute of it may

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives

bject to copyrigh