CO129-591-12 Military Administration- Civil affairs- directives to force commander and senior officials 24-2-1945 - 13-9-1945 — Page 132

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Draft Para.4 for inclusion in Directive to be issued by Force Commander to C.C.A.0.

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As the liberation of Hongkong involves the immediate resumption of His Majesty's Government's responsibility for the good government of the Colony and the well-being of its inhabitants, and as this will call for certain administrative action in matters which have no military significance and are primarily the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, it has been decided that the C.C.A.0. will have the right of direct communication with the Colonial Office through the usual command channels on such matters. The Senior Officer commanding will however be free to make such comment thereon as military considerations appear to him to warrant.