TNAG-1203-FCO40-1505-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 159

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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11.4

11.5

FCO Minister should be invited to authorise the sending of a telegram containing an assurance of sympathetic support and asking to be kept fully informed. The OAG should also be asked immediately what advice or physical assistance he requires. Any supplies requested will be provided at the expense of the DT. Requests for visits by Advisers or others are paid for as normal visits.

11.3.3 There should be early consultation between the Secretary of State and the OAG, after consultation with their Legal Advisers, regarding the nature, extent and timing of any Emergency Powers to be introduced. Such measures should not be left to a later stage and then rushed in response to pressures which have developed. Draft Emergency Regulations should be kept in readiness by DT Governments, and should also be kept available in DT geographical Departments.

11.3.4 The internal organisation and manning levels of the DT geographical Department concerned

should be reviewed at the onset of the crisis.

11.3.5 If the DT asks for British Forces to be despatched (see para 11.4), the question of eventual payment for their services should be brought to the attention of the responsible FCO Minister at an early state (see para 11.5).

11.3.6 Early agreement in principle should be sought for a Commission of Inquiry to be set up after the crisis (see para 11.6). This can be of assistance in dealing with Parliamentary Questions (see para II.7).

11.4

11.4.1

USE OF BRITISH FORCES

The Internal Security Plan of each DT makes provision for reinforcement by British Forces.

11.4.2 The question of despatching British Forces should be considered with Defence Department and the Ministry of Defence at a very early stage; if this is left too long the military operation itself may be prejudiced, and the political and financial implication may receive insufficient consideration. The decision to send such reinforcement is one for Ministers collectively, and as much time as possible must be allowed for that decision to be obtained.

11.4.3 Political, as well as military and security, considerations which may be involved in the despatch of British Forces in any situation are so various that they cannot be categorised in advance. They normally include the question as to whether difficulties may arise for the withdrawal of the Forces later, and presentational factors in the United Kingdom as well as overseas.

11.5

11.5.1

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

There are always financial factors involved in the despatch of British Forces. Such Forces are invariably considered to be used, as they would be in the United Kingdom itself, “in aid of the Civil Power". It is that "Civil Power", namely the Government of the DT, which calls upon them for assistance, and thus upon HMG to send them. The FCO, as the "customer" of the

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