Extract from Minutes on file 54454/48
I am not sure whether we are justified in differentiating between closing the
land frontier and regulation of Chinese entering illegally by sea (memo of 7.12.48 5. para. 3 (b)(vi)(b)).
2.
The patrolling of the waterfront may have to be done.
6 lov
(sgd) D.R.W.
8/12
El 1145
11/12/-5
Reference Mr. Rees-Williams' minute of 8/12 above.
7
1. I have put in at a brief Note on the problem of preventing entry to the Colony of Hong Kong by sea. It is clear that it would be a most difficult thing to do and would require considerable resources in man-power and craft. It seems unlikely th t such resources, stretched as in any
.:
case they will be if the possible
emergencies should supervene, are likely to be available for coast-watching.
2. But an attempt to work out a scheme was made in 1941, though whether it was ever put into practice and, if so, how it worked, we do not know. (It is doubtful if Hong Kong will have any written record of this scheme, but there are no doubt officers in the Colony who have some recollection of it).
3. If it is desired to raise the point with Hong Kong I suggest a telegram as in draft. I pass through Defence Department since it seems pretty clear that no scheme would be possible without naval assistance.
I. Wallan
10.12.48.
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