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accordance with the suggestion that it contained (in paragraph (4)(a)), General Hayes would no doubt approach Colonel Ride. It must be expected that Colonel Ride would not react favourably and Mr. Paskin pointed out that he might in fact influence the General to the extent of his deciding not to use the B.A.A.G. organisation. Mr. MacDougall thought that, in fact, Colonel Ride would not raise any objection to heading an emergency administration since if the need for such action arose it could only be because the Chinese themselves had "broken faith". Mr. Paskin suggested however that the Foreign Office should send a telegram to the Ambassador emphasising that the service's of B.A.A.G. personnel should be used in whatever capacity was most conducive to the furtherance of British policy in S. China which includes especially the re-establishment of British authority in Hong Kong. It was agreed that the draft of this telegram should be prepared in the Colonial Office and be sent to the Foreign Office.
9. Mr. Sterndale Bennett raised the question of the size of the emergency party. Mr. Gent said that only about 15 or 20 persons were visualised merely sufficient to form a rallying point for local Chinese and other pro-British elements.
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10. Mr. MacDougali suggested that it would be very useful to have Colonel Ride back in this country for a short time. was agreed that the appropriate time would be when General Hayes had been able to evolve a scheme for an emergency party, as ; proposed, when Colonel Ride might come home for discussion of it with departments here.
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