9:
HWB 10/9
TOP SECRET
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE,
CURTIS GREEN, S.W.1.
19 July, 1968.
145
Since Arthur Galsworthy is away in Gibraltar at the
moment, I am replying to your letter to him No. TSX 5/62 of
July about the future strength and structure of the Hong
Kong Garrison.
Following the decision of Ministers on 29 May about a
permanent fighter presence (to which Galsworthy referred in
paragraph 3 of his letter of 10 June), the Air Force Department~
of the Ministry of Defence put in hand a study on the feasibility
of a small air defence force in Hong Kong. Their resulting report
(a copy of which I now enclose) was approved towards the end of
of June by the Chiefs of Staff who at the same time gave
instructions that the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, should carry
out a further and more detailed examination of the matter to
determine a precise breakdown of responsibilities as between
R. A. F., H. K. A. A. F., and H. K. A.E.C. These instructions were
conveyed to C.I.N.C.F.E. by Ministry of Defence on 25 June
and we assume that this more detailed study is now in hand. It
may well be that you will have heard all about this further
examination by the time that this letter reaches you; but if
this is not the case you will no doubt cause the necessary
enquiries to be made.
His Excellency
Sir David Trench, K.C.M.G., M.C.,
Government House,
Hong Kong.
TOP SECRET
As
19.7.68.
/I am
146
Page 45Page 46
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.