CO_968_580_DEFENCE_OF_HONG_KONG_1957_1959 — Page 115

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lack of elections;

they could not therefore disregard

local public opinion on this or other matters. He

supported Sir A. Grantham's suggested compromise,

involving the release by the Army of some of the

dockyard land to which the W.0. laid claim, and undertook

to investigate the validity of the titles to the land

which the Army holds.

It was agreed that decisions on the two Units

and the consequential defence contribution should,

if possible, be deferred until Sir Robert had had

consultations in Hong Kong.

(3) Evacuation.

The question of the evacuation of Europeans and

loyal Chinese in the event of an attack on the Colony

was discussed.

It was agreed that that subject should again be

brought to the notice of Ministers in the defence context

with emphasis on the implications of any failure by

H.M. Government to make evacuation possible.

(4) The Anglo-American Working Group

The action to date was outlined to Sir Robert

and he was invited to attend the next meeting of the

U.K. Preparatory Working Party if he were available at

the time.

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