CO_968_583_DEFENCE_OF_HONG_KONG_1957_1959 — Page 235

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

σ

Mr Cauffers cursed

ни

This tegra

be forve

FROM HONG KONG (Sir R. Black)

Simplex D. 31st January, 1958.

R. 31st

IMMEDIATE

No.97

* metar for

13.00 hrs.

75751/02

mund beit Defever

сис

ais

11

TOP SECRET

Personal for Secretary of State.

Begins.

Garrison.

Following our two conversations in London on this subject, I promised to report to you my personal views after I had had an opportunity to study the situation here and to consult my advisers. I have now had these discussions. particularly with C.B.F., C.P. and C.S., and I can state immediately that these have confirmed me in my belief that the presence of the two additional units is of the utmost importance to Hong Kong and that personally I can see no justification at all for the argument that Hong Kong should pay for these units to supplement a garrison, the present strength of which is insufficient to enable H.M.G. to fulfil their responsibilities to Hong Kong. Frankly, I do not understand the grounds on which we can be asked to bargain (repeat bargain) for these units.

2.

I must make it clear that I see no possibility of persuading Finance Committee to agree to an increased military contribution at the present time, and I know from our conversa- tions before I left London that you fully appreciate the

political impossibility of using the official majority.

9

3.

Finance Committee hold, and have always held that the defence of Hong Kong is the responsibility of H.M.G. Members are aware that there are considerable changes afoot in the defence sphere and that none of these is to the advantage of Hong Kong's position either in external defence or in internal security. I do not think that at the moment they realise the extent to which we have reduced the garrison but I am certain that this knowledge must reach them and that when it does the whole question of the adequacy of our defences may become an important issue between the Government and my unofficial advisers.

4.

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The immediate outstanding issue is the provision of the two artillery regiments. It would at least help, from our point of view, if these were stationed here for a period of about five years until there is suitable accommodation for them in Malaya. We are asked, however, to make a special contribution to help to meet the costs of sending them overseas as opposed to keeping them in the United Kingdom until the Malayan accommodation is available. I see three reasons why this cannot be done :-

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