FROM :
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE LONDON
TO
G.H.Q. FAR EAST LAND FORCES
ROUTINE
SECSEX 67
U.K. EYES ONLY
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олзв
copy ALSO ON
DEF 75/51102
OZ 5462
TOO 181425Z
18th July 1956
For Secretary B.D. C. C. (F.E.) from Secretary, Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Defence of Hong Kong.
The Chiefs of Staff have considered the appreciation by the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong and the covering comments of the B.D. C. C. (F.Ě) on the situation in Hong Kong with the reduced garrison as planned for April 1958. They have also seen a letter from the Governor to the Colonial Secretary on the subject.
2.
The Chiefs of Staff considered that on purely military grounds there was no call to change the earlier decision. They did, however, agree that cold war and political factors made the retention of the Armoured regiment and a jet squadron desirable. are therefore recommending to Ministers the retention in Hong Kong of these units.
They
The Chiefs of Staff also considered the question of including a fourth Battalion in the garrison but agreed that a decision on this should be deferred for the time being, as the Battalion was not due for withdrawal until 1958. It could be re-considered nearer the time for withdrawal in the light of the situation then prevailing.
B
JIC(56)50 has been approved as an assessment
(131) of the threat to Hong Kong subject to certain amendments
which you should now have received.
CIRCULATION
C.0.S. Normal
Mr W.D. Allen
Mr F.S. Tomlinson
Major General W.H.A. Bishop
Mr J.A Steward
TOO 181425Z
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