CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 549

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13.

EVENTUAL DEFENCE RNING:MENTS

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

14. We understand that the Colonil office preliminary opinion of this proposal is that, in view of the political situation in Chin, they cannot foraseu a time when the Becurity

of the Colony could be effected without rugular troops and that it would be premature to tackle the question of establishing a local gund rmerie to replace the garrison. They also throw doubts on whether the project would, in fact, result in a pret saving of man-power and point out that there would be fincial implications to be resolved. Furthermore, the Bouth Eat sin Defenco Committee has strongly recommended that garrison of one British brigade and one field artillery regiment will be required permanently in Hong Kong.

15. curo that replacement of the garrison by gendarmerie is impractic: blut present but we cannot agree that discussions to this and should conue no there is much work to be done

if this project is ever to be realised.

16.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that:-

() The strength of the garrison of Hong Kong should

if possible rumain unaltered until the local

police na volunteer forces re efficient, which it is expected will be by April.

(b) The Comendo ride should be moved to

Malt as soon as it can be relieved by

two British infantry buttalions fran elsewhere. (c) After April, 1947 these two infantry Battalions together with field regiment will constitut

The fiold regiment the rrison of Hong Kong.

should be 1rovided by J.A.C.G... who should 130 ermark in inf:ntry brigade as a reserve t call within G.. A. C.

+

C.0.5.(46) 193(0)

*

c.o.s.(46) 113th Meeting

C.0.S.(46) 116th Meeting:

-4-

Ref.:

CO 537/1261

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