TNAG-0062-FCO40-98-Dormant-Commission-to-appoint-the-Commander-of-British-Force-1971 — Page 4

.

Introduction

(44)α

15) on 94003/27

1951.

LIAN IB on

file.

abour

Method of bringing

Commission into

force

15 on G4003/27

1957

Present issue

Situation in 1951

TOP SECRET

Dormant Commission for Commander, British Forces

HONG KONG

In June 1951, at the instance of the then Governor of Hong Kong and with the agreement of the War Office and Chiefs of Staff, a Dormant Commission was issued to the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong. The Commission, if and when brought into operation, would appoint the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, as Governor and Commander-in- Chief of the Colony: it was intended for use in the event of an emergency and when it had become clear that the situation in the Colony was such that the Commander, British Forces, should assume overall command, both civil and military. It was the intention that when this stage had been reached the Governor should leave Hong Kong.

2.

The Commission, which is still in existence and in the possession of Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, is designed to come into operation at a time to be appointed in writing by the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, after consultation with the Governor and with the prior approval of the Secretary of State (for the Colonies). If, in his absolute discretion the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, is satisfied that it is not practicable to obtain the prior approval of the Secretary of State, the Commission may be brought into operation on a date to be appointed in writing by the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, after consultation with the Governor.

Stet

3.

was

Subsequent Governors of Hong Kong, ineluding the present Governor, have represented that the circumstances in which the Dormant Commission were drawn up no longer exist; that the situation for which it was intended to provide is not now likely to arise and that the Commission

should accordingly be cancelled.

4. At the time when the Commission was drawn up Hong Kong was within the theatre of the Korean war. The Chinese potential for aggression

was then underdeveloped and in any event any Chinese military aggression against Hong Kong was likely to be moderated by China's own involvement in the Korean war, and by the fact that the Americans were also involved in that war. The assessed capacity of the Hong Kong garri son to resist any such aggression at that time was reflected by the military directive to the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, which was then operative and the relevant section of which read as follows:

"Task

TOP SECRET