CO_968_451_DEFENCE_OF_HONG_KONG_1955_1956 — Page 61

SECRET & GUARD

APPENDIX B

SECURITY OF FUEL SUPPLIES IN AN EMERGENCY

Petroleum Products

(a) The requirement of essential users for a three months' period are estimated to be:

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Aviation spirit

3,830 tons

Motor spirit

5,450 tons

Kerosene

202 tons

Light diesel

Mcdium diesel Heavy dicsel Furnace oil

5,280 tons 3,840 tons

1,170 tons

57,000 tons (excluding

Royal Navy's requirement of 30,000 tons, for which it makes its own arrangements).

(b) The Oil Companies' holdings (supplemented in the case of furnace fuel by the Electricity Companies' holdings of 23,500 tons reserve) are normally in excess of these target figures.

Coal

Monthly consumption of bituminous coal is estimated at 21,000 tons (per month) and of anthracite coal 1,000 tons. The main sources of supply are India and more recently Japan for bituminous coal and Northern Vietnam and Taiwan for

anthracite.

On the assumption that the bunkering of ships would not be practicable during an emergency in Hong Kong, the minimum quantity of coal which could keep public utilities and industry moving for 2 months is 36,000 tons and this is the reserve stock which it is the aim to keep. Since 1st January, 1955, the reserve stock is held by a number of importers under legal obligation, and they alone are permitted to import coal.

Coal consumption shows a gradual decline as industry and shipping are gradually switching over to oil as a source of power.

Firewood

Consumption of firewood, which has been falling as the use of Kerosene for cooking increases, is now about 14,000 tons a month. The main sources of supply are Malaya and North Borneo, with mainland China an irregular but important

source.

Firewood is a necessity to the local population for cooking and the cessation of supplies would be a matter of concern. Government therefore aim to maintain a stockpile of 20,000 tons which, tog ther with commercial stocks, is estimated to last 6 weeks by which time it is hoped that supplies from Malaya and Bornco could be increased. As a last resort, the Colony's inadequate forests could be cut. Page 61 of 154

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C. S. 101 500-2/56-A14933