CO537-4998 — Page 78

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DEFENCE COMMITTEE 11 a.m. 27th APRIL

Notes for the Minister of State

1.

So far as the Colonial Office is concerned, the Minister of Defence's recommendations should be strongly supported, subject to the following:

The War Office proposals in the annex as to the precise movoments of troops proposed are not clear.

2.

3.

It is suggested that the best course would be:-

(a) to ambark the brigade group from the United Kingdom

for the Far East as soon as possiblo.

(b) that the 3.00.C.F.E. should be instructed to report

immediately if they consider that the situation of Hong Fong calls for reinforcements before that brigade group could arrive. They should have standing authority to move one battalion from Malaya to Hong Kong whenever they think it necessary. They should be instructed to report immediately if they consider that any further troops should be detached from Malaya.

4. I as seems inevitable, a public announcement is made of the intention to reinforce Hong Kong, it would be desirable that at the same time, H.M.G. should reaffirm their determination that Hong Kong shall remain British, and that all nocossary measures will be taken to protect it.

The Governor of Hong Kong has for some time been been pressing for such a statement to stiffen morale in Hong Kong, especially among the Hong Fong Chinese, and as an encouragement to recruitment for the Hong Kong Defence force.

5. The repercussions of any such statement on the safety of H.. ships at Shanghai must of course be considered, but there seems no reason to believe that a statement would be regarded as any greater provocation than the announce- ment of the despatch of einforcements.

6.

If a statement either on H..G's intention to rein- force Hong Kong or on their detemination to emain there is decided on, the Governor ust have prior notice, in order that he may take steps to deal with any possibly immediate communist repercussions in the Colony such as serious strikes etc.

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