CO537-4998 — Page 125

28 January 1949

12 -

TOP SECRET

BDCC (FE) 16th Mtg.

After further discussion the COMMITTEE:-

(1)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

took note that the Gove mor of Hong Kong regarded a large scale influx of peasant refugees as a remote possibility, but was framing the necessary plans to deal with it, should it occur;

took note that it was probable that major incidents on the frontier could be avoided in the near future, but that it was important not to provoke them by any precipitate action to close the frontier;

took note that schemes for rationing and registration were gradually being put into cffect;

instructed the Secretariat to despatch a tclcgram* to the Hong Kong Local Lefence Committce asking for up-to-date cstimates of the probable threats to Hong Kong and when they were likely to occur;

instructed the Secretariat to inform** the Chiefs of Staff of the action taken, and to warn them that bf an external threat to Hong Kong developed before troops could be spared from Malaya, reinforcements would have to be found from outside the theatre.

* SEC 229 dated 24 January 1949. NT ** SEACCS 878 dated 27 January 1949)

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