DEF 75/51/01
TOP SECRET
Page 114 of of
Note of Meeting
on the Defence of Hong Kong.
A meeting was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday
7th January 1958 in Mr. Melville's room to discuss defence
matters with Sir R. Black before his meeting with the
Secretary of State. There were present Sir R. Black,
Mr. Melville, Mr. Wallace, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Ashton,
Mr. Fairclough and Mr. Browning. The following matters
were discussed:
(1) The additional two units for the garrison
Sir Robert was informed of the reply sent to the
Minister of Defence's minute of 3rd January.
He emphasised strongly that in his opinion the
garrison was quite inadequate for its prescribed tasks.
He explained also that no announcement or even sight of
troops moving out would be needed to spread the news in
Hong Kong. Chinese catering contractors would know
straightway simply by the changes in the size of orders
placed with them for the armed forces.
(2) The Defence Contribution
Sir Robert stressed the political difficulty of
obtaining the agreement of the Hong Kong Legislative
Council to an increased contribution or even to a
contribution of the present size when the garrison was
being reduced. He explained that political pressures on
unofficial members of Legislative Council and Executive
Council in Hong Kong were real and forceful despite the Page 114 of 172
Page 114
lack
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Page.115 of 172
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