TNAG-0056-FCO40-92-Evacuation-plan-1967 — Page 58

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DRAFT 0.P.D. PAPER

Contingency Planning: Hong Kong

the

(Memorandum by/Commonwealth Secretary)

I attach a report by an inter-departmental

Working Party of officials on the feasibility of

planning for an emergency evacuation from Hong Kong,

with an annex on the financial and economic measures

This has been fupere) which would have to be taken. It prepared in

accordance with the instructions given on 28th July

(0.P.D.(67)28th Meeting, Item 8) for the preparation

of contingency plans and, in particular, in the light

of the requirement that knowledge of the preparation

of such plans should be confined in Hong Kong to the

Governor and the Commander British Forces.

2.

Two key considerations are noted in the report

by the officials:-

(i) The need for absolute secrecy prevents

any detailed planning and prior

preparation "on the ground".

(ii) Onee evacuation was ordered, the internal

security situation would deteriorate very

rapidly and plans would have to be

implemented in a very short time (probably

no more than 48 hours).

The conclusions are therefore that only outline plans

could be prepared; that, in the absence of detailed

arrangements and prior preparation, any outline plan

for a large-scale evacuation (paragraphs 5 7) could

not be effectively implemented in the time-scale and

conditions of enforced withdrawal (paragraphs 8 10);

that, in the circumstances of enforced withdrawal, a

very small-scale evacuation of vulnerable and

"sensitive" people, with their dependants, might be

possible.

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