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26
AMENDED CIRCULATION
IZ. 1658 TOO. 071215I
(070415A)
TOR. 080332A
From
::
H. Q., Land Forces, Hong Kong.
То
год
Ministry of Defence, London.
7th June, 1949.
From Casey for Price.
Please convey the following personal
message to the Prime Minister from the Minister of Defence sending a copy to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
"I arrived in Hong Kong last night and had a preliminary conversation with the Governor. The first results are not unfavourable. I consider that the Governor would work co-operatively with Festing on the general principles re. the instructions set out in your telegram to me DEF 603 of 3rd June but he has raised what to him is the fundamental point of a right of appeal to the Secretary of State or to the British Defence Co-ordination Committee so long as there is a Senior Civil Chairman.
2.
I pointed out to the Governor the need for early decision on matters of military security but be considers that on such a question as the general timing of immigration control there is a grave danger of provoking attack and stimulating Iocal co-operation with any attack. If he had a right of appeal on such questions he thinks they could always be settled under seven days.
3.
I had further consultation with the Governor this morning. He is prepared to accept the instructions subject to amendment of the text to provide for a right of appeal which on reflection he thinks should lie to the Secretary of State alone and not to B.D.C.C. He has proposed the following amendment which I recommend should be accepted.
Add
"Para. 3. Delete last nine words.
following after word "prevail", "provided that except in cases of extreme urgency if the difference of opinion concerns a
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