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7.

The Fortress Defence Work programme is yet far from complete and it would be unwise to allow work on this new project to interfere with the development of these defence works.

The War Office have examined the project and they consider

it to be practicable although a major engineering work.

It is estimated that it will take three months to complete from the time the required labour (200 all ranks) and plant is on the site.

Labour is available. The two Mechanical Equipment sections required will have to be borrowed from either the Middle East allotment or the 'overseas reserve'.

Ten ton tipping lorries, of which 25 are essential for the work, cannot be provided from this country, but they are a standard production in America. Even if these lorries are bought now, the start of the work may be delayed by as much as three months. It is, therefore, unlikely that the staging post will be ready for the American winter ferry service of 1941/42.

8. The accommodating of additional personnel in Gibraltar should be possible.

9.

There is no question as to the operational importance in the early development of this staging post and I suggest that the Chiefs of Staff agree

(a) to the development of the new project at the

earliest possible date, even though

(i) its use will be denied to us in the event of

Spanish or German operations against Gibraltar.

(ii) it may not be ready for the American winter

ferry service of 1941/42.

(b) to the provision of the necessary shipping, labour,

machinery and material so that work can start as soon as possible, and run concurrently and without interference to the Fortress Defence Work programme..

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(c) to inform the Commander-in-Chief, Gibraltar of their decision and to instruct him to make the necessary preliminary arrangements which will include preparations to accommodate the additional personnel required for the work.

(Signed) H.R. POWNALL.

War Office.

13TH NOVEMBER, 1941.

V. C. I. G. S.

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