CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 616

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J.F. (46)179(0)(Revised Draft)

2ND OCTOBER 1946

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

JOINT PLANNING STAFF

FUTURE CARISON OF HONG KONG

Draft Report by the Joint Planning Staff

In anticipation of instructions we have examined two telegrams+ from S.A. C. S. E. A. in which he forwards views concerning the garrison of liong Kong expressed by South East Asia Defence Committee.

Present Agreed Policy

2.

The Cabinet Defonce Committee's present agreed policy with regard to the defence of Hong Kong, is briefly as follows:-

(a) Since the Colony could not be defended

against attack by a major power in occupation of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong should be regarded as an undefended port as far as fixed defences are concerned.

(b) To ensure internal security, as a

protection against piracy, and as a deterrent to an attempt at incursion by Chinese rucrillas, forces of the order of one brigado and half a flying boat squadron would be required in the Colony for some considerable time, units of the British Pacific Fleet providing such local naval co-operation in those tasks as may be required.

(c) The present Army garrison of two brigades

should be reduced to one brigade directly the re-establishment of the local Police Force permitted. The Chiefs of Staff informed C.-in-C., Hong Kong, that they understood this roduction would be likely to be about 1st January, 1947.

+ SEACOS 747 and 762.

A D.O. (46) 7th acting.

07.1403, datod 3rd April.

ما

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

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