CO 537/5344 Plans for the protection and evacuation of British nationals from Hong Kong in the event of an anternal disturbance

1 14521/16

RETURN. To. Roi A

1.453

TOP SECRET

CO.R.45

1950%

14521/16.

Evacuation of British subjects from Hong Kong in the event

of Internal Disturbances.

Sam /14521/15/50

Subsequent

Dann agustEENEANETA LARGE produit |

FILE A

JAM DAN HAW

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TOP SHOART

PECIAL CARE SHOULD RE TAKEN TO MAINTAI TE SECRECY OF THE LOCUMLINS W THIS FILE. THY SHOULD BLOCKED IN A STEEL PRESS VORNIGHT AND CIRCULATED LAND AT ALL STAGES.

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5|LES CI

To 537 5344

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Secretariat File: D/CIV/EVAC

SAVINGRAM

To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

From the Governor, Hong Kong.

Date

No.

HITIT LIIT

May, 1950...

TOP SECRET

Your top secret savingram No.36 of 10th March. Evacuation. Then arrangements are being discussed, I should be grateful if possibility of evacuation from HONG KONG being made necessary by:-

(a)

conditions of extreme internal disorder, and

(b) by a local external threat,

may also be considered.

　Possibility of evacuation being actually necessary under these circumstances is not great, but cannot be entirely overlooked.

14. K

2- REC

1950

卟

[456B) Wt. 32483,800 100m. 11,40 C.N.Ld. 748

14521/16/50

Mr. B.D. Edmonds

Mr.

tını

Mr..

Mr.

1216.

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. S.

Minister of State

Se (3)4 (4)

Secretary of State

Your Reference............

DRAFT. 3.0. LETTER

Wing-Commdr. F.0.5. Dobell, Ministry of Defence,

TOP SECRET

We AD Edmond es

FURTHER ACTION.

With reference to our telephone

conversation, I enclose a copy of a

savingram from the Governor of Hong Kong

in which he asks that the question of

a possible evacuation from Hong Kong in

the event of (a) conditions of extreme

internal disorder, (b) local or external

threat, may be considered.

La not think that this is an

appropriate subject to place before the

Evacuation from abroad Sub-Comittee,

For Bed

and

but we feel that the B. D. C. C., should

handle this. If you and the Chairman of

the Evacuation from abroad Sub-Committee

agree we shall be glad if the B.D.C.C.

could be asked to consider this question

with the Governor of Hong Kong, and

subject to your views, we propose to explai

the position to the Governor.

TOP SECRET

14521/16/50

Dear Dobell,

The Church House,

Great Saith Street,

S.1.1.

15 June, 1950.

(3)

Ans. (

With reference to our telephone conversation, I enclose a copy of a savingram from the Governor of Hong Kong in which he asks that the question of a possible evnouation from Hong Kong in the event of (a) conditions of extreme internal disorder, (b) local or external threat, may be considered.

We do not think that this is an expropriate subject to place before the Evacuation fron Abroad Sub-Committce and we feel that the B.D.C.C., Far East should handle it. If you and the Chairman of the Evacuation Sub-Committee agree we should be glad if the B.D.C.C. could be asked to consider this question with the Governor of Hong Kong, and, subject to your views, wo propose to explain the position to the Governor.

Yours sincerely (fgal) (1. D. Hämonds)

WING COMMANDER F. 0. S. DOUSL),

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.

TOP SECRET

CHIEFS OF STAFF SECRETARIAT

Evacuation Hong Kong

The Colonial Office recently informed the Governor of Hong Kong that the Evacuation from Abroad Sub-Committee was considering the question of Evacuation Planning in the Far East in the event of major war. The Governor has replied that, when these arrangements are under discussion, he would be grateful if the possibility could also be considered of Evacuation from Hong Kong being made necessary by

conditions of extreme internal disorder, or

a legal external threat.

Evacuation not resulting from a major war is outside the terrs of reference of the Evacuation from Abroad Sub-Committee, and it is suggested that any plans made for evacuation from Hong Kong made necessary by internal disorder or a legal external threat would probably best be co-ordinated by B.D.C.C. Far East. If assistance from outside the Far East Theatre were required in the event, the B.D.C.C. Far East would presumably ask for it through the Chiefs of Staff.

If the Chiefs of Staff agree that this is the correct procedure they will no doubt instruct the B.D.C.C. Far East accordingly. The Colonial Offiec propose to inform the Governor of Hong Kong when they know the Chiefs' of Staff views. I am sending a copy of this minute to Edmonds, Colonial Office.

Os Embell

Secretary, Evacuation from Abroad

Sub-Committee

15TH JURE, 1950

COPY

SECRETARY,

EVACUATION FROM ABROAD SUB-COMMITTEE

TOP SECRET

EVACUATION HONG KONG

　Reference your Minute dated 15th June about planning for the evacuation of civilians from Hong Kong in the event of extreme internal disorder or a local external threat.

2. As I explained to you on the telephone, we feel that the best arrangement would be for the Governor of Hong Kong to refer this matter direct to the British Defence Co-ordination Committee, Far East. I think this would be a more suitable arrangement than to suggest to the Chiefs of Staff that they should invite the B.D.C.C., Far East, to look into the question. I feel that it is most probable that some consideration has already been given to this question by the B.D.C.C., Far East particularly in view of the serious threat to Hong Kong which obtained last summer and, if this is the case, it would be most inappropriate for the Chiefs of Staff now to invite the B.D.C.C. to examine the matter.

3. You kindly agreed to take the matter up with the Colonial Office.

20th June, 1950.

(Signed) N.F. HENEAGE

for Secretary,

Chiefs of Staff Committee

C.O

231

237

TELEGRAM/

To:

Draft

• The word Priority may be entered

جمه

Paraphrasepp-

SAVINGRAM

necessary.

Raverner

Могу когд

Repealed to:-

Mr. Edmondo/6 McCarth

Laborbam 24/6

almmer.

Mr._

Mr...

Sir

Permt, U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. of S.

S. of S.

Priority;-

Nil.

Reply urgentlyymired.

Important.

Komediate.

Most Immediate.

File No.

14524/11/53

Sent.

Typsen

2 hours

Govoran Hong Kong

RECEIVED

? 4 JUN1950 in Tel. c.b.

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To be transmitted :-

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_24_6.194.

No. 1014

Restricted

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Top Secret

and-Verkenal.

Your Top Reset Savingsam

No 5%

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26 May.

Evacuation in

(a) extreme

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OUTWARD TELEGRAM.

FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.

As document must be paraphrased if the communication of its contents to any person outside Government Service is authorised.

14521/16/50

Typex

No.1014

TO HONG KONG (0.A.0.)

Sent 24th June, 1950. 12.00 bra.

TOP SECRET

Your top secret savingram No.51 of 26th May.

Evacuation in event of (a) extreme internal disorder

and (b) local external threat.

It is possible that British Defence Coordination Committee, Far East will be asked to coordinate all evacuation plans in the Far East in the event of a major var.

It is felt that, in any event, evacuation in the circumstances envisaged in your savingram would appropriately be a matter for that Committee, particularly as the question of the evacuation of service families would also arise.

　　　　　I suggest therefore that, if you agree, you should refer the question direct to the B.D.C.C., F.E.

Distributed to:-

R. 453

Secretary of State

P.S. to Minister of State

Sir T. Lloyd

Mr. T.F. Cook

Sir C. Jeffries Sir H. Poynton

Ministry of Defence

Hr. K.H. Davies Nr. Paskin

Mr. Sidebotham Mr. Hall

Mr.

Anderson

Mr. B.D. Edmonds

Mr. Norgan

Wing/Car. F.0.8. Dobell.

Koorly

Serving 5175-21/5/50

Mr. Harnhain;

I discussed this with Wing-Commander Dobell, one of the Joint Secretaries of the Evacuation from Abroad Sub-Committee. He agreed that it did not seem a matter for the Evacuation Committee, but thought thuat he would like to put the question to the Chairman. He would then ask the Chiefs of staff to request the .D.C.C. to consider the matter. ? as in draft.

12.6.1950

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15/6/50

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