CO537-5001 — Page 65

Wt. 44925/140. 60m. 12/48, Wa, & Co. 51/3.

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited.

It is issued for the personal use of MM Puskin

TOP SECRET

Copy No...

q

SPECIAL CIRCULATION

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

CONFIDENTIAL ANNEX

ΤΟ

C.0.S.(49) 83rd MEETING held on THURSDAY

2nd JUNE, 1949 at 10.30 a.m.

4.

HONG KONG

T

COMMAND AND GOVERNMENT

(14)

'X'

(Previous Reference: COS(49) 82nd Meeting.)

THE COMMITTEE were informed that at a meeting on the previous evening, Ministers had confirmed the arrangements suggested by the Staff Conference the previous day for command and Governinent in Hong Kong. The Colonial Office

had been invited to draft instructions to the Governor which could be telegraphed to the Minister of Defence for communication by him to the Governor.

After the Chief of Air Staff and the First Sea Lord had left the meeting, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, on behalf of the Chiefs of Staff, considered the draft telegram prepared by the Colonial Office with Mr. Paskin and Major General Festing, and agreed with them on a number of small amendments.

MAJOR GENERAL FESTING explained that from his own experience on the Executive Council of Hong Kong, he thought it would be most necessary that the nature of the instructions to the Governor should be communicated to the members of the Executive Council.

It was understood that the Colonial Secretary would now submit the draft telegram+ to the Prime Minister. AS soon as the Prime Minister had approved them, they would be telegraphed by the Ministry of Defence to Singapore for the Minister of Defence.

THE CHIEF OF THE IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF, on behalf of the Chiefs of Staff:-

(1)

Concurred in the draft telegram prepared by the Colonial Office, subject to the amendments agreed in discussion.

(2) Took note that the draft telegram+ would

subsequently be handled at 'X' above.

+ The text, as approved by the Prime Minister and

despatched, is attached. (Appendix)

Ministry of Defence, S.W.1. 3rd June, 1949.

TOP SECRET

22

Page 65Page 66