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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

206

SECRET.

C.0.S. (40) 478.

20TH JUNE 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

а

COPY NO.

r

Note by Secretary.

The Prime Minister wishes to meet the Chiefs of Staff at 11.0 a.m. tomorrow to discuss the following questions

2.

(1) Canary Isles.

2

Ireland.

Canary Isles.

The Chiefs of Staff will probably think itundesirable to discuss the Canary Isles as an isolated problem without taking into account the Cape Verde Islands and the Azores. The Chiefs of Staff have already considered the preparatory action necessary regarding the Cape Verde Islands and the Azores (vido Panor 1o. C.O.S. (40)465(J. P.) and C. o. S. (40) 184th Meeting, inute 1).

3.

So far as the Canary Isles are concerned a Report by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee will be circulated before 8.0 p.m. this evening.

4.

Ireland.

It was agreed at this morning's War Cabinet Meeting -

(a) That undue pressure should not be put

(b)

on Northern Ireland to consent to union,

That no stops should be taken to occupy

ports in South Ireland in advance of an aggression by Germany.

(c) That in the event of aggression by Germany

we should immediately go to the assistance of Southern Ireland with all the forces which could be spared.

-1-

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