CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 723

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5.25.7

Permt. U.S. of S. 2

Parly. U.S. of S.

Secretary of Stat

TOP SECRET

• fav draft-

picos. concomm

IMPORTANT

No.

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CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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 that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh

My telegram No.411.

Command of Services in Hong Kong.

Acting Allied Supreme Commander

South East Asia has informed Chiefs of

Staff that in opinion of British Defence Committee in South East Asia correct

procedure in event of disagreement

arising between service and civil

requirements which cannot be resolved

locally is to refer in the first place

to the South East Asia Defence Committee

rather than direct to London,

As you know

2. This Committee which has recently

and

been set up in Singapore is composed of

Governor-General, who is Chairman,

Acting Allied Supreme Commander and

Special Commissioner. Its functions

are to coordinate the defence of British

territories in South East Asia, including

liaison with Dominion and foreign

Governments.

Governors of Britiah

territories in South East Asia and

Commanders-in-Chief will be invited to

attend or send representatives, when matters which affect their responsibilities

/are

00048

are to be discussed. Although Hong Kong is outside

Governor-General's sphere of authority the paper laying

down his status and duties states that he will be kept

informed about the civil and political interests of Hong Kong

and thus be enabled to represent those interests on all

matters coming within the purview of the Defence Committee

in South East Asia.

3 Chiefs of Staff suggest following procedure:-

$1.

(1)

In cases of dispute between civil and

Service authorities immediately affecting

strategic issues concerning the South East Asia Zone, the matter would properly be within

the purview of the British Defence Committee,

South East Asia and should be referred to

them in the first place.

(ii) In cases of dispute between the Service and

civil authorities on administrative or other

Bubjects, which were solely the local concern of

the colony of Hong Kong, the matter should be

referred to London for decision,

Please telegraph whether you agree.

par 4. Smel's

✔

manute

L

1 2

Ref.:

CO 537/1262 THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms

Cons

and Conditions of supply of National Archwes leaflet nditions and that your use of it may be subject to copynght

N