Your telegram No. 457 of August 29th. [1] His Majesty's Government
in the United Kingdom are very grateful for most helpful message,
the points raised in which have been very carefully examined.

2. As regards the principal question for decision, i.e., that of
the Seventh Australian Division, we have again reviewed the
position in the light of the present situation in the Far East and
the Middle East and in this connection have of course taken into
account the views of Hs Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth
of Australia as given in your telegram of September 7th, 471. [2]
As is clearly recognised in that message, the major immediate
threat to the Empire outside of the United Kingdom is to our
position in the Middle East. After balancing the risks between the
Middle East and the Far East, we now consider the needs of the
situation would best be met if the Seventh Australian Division,
equipped from local Australian resources of a modified scale, were
sent direct to the Middle East where it could complete its
training more quickly than in Malaya and where its presence would
meanwhile be of abstract use for internal security purposes, and
would render possible the immediate release of other troops which
have already completed their training. We feel that to locate the
Australian Division at a half way house, viz India, would benefit
neither the Middle East nor Malaya, to which we should propose
that two Indian brigades should be sent.

3. We should be very grateful for early expression of the
Commonwealth Government's views on the foregoing suggestion
regarding the Seventh Division.

4. The Commonwealth Government's statements as to naval and air
situation in paragraphs 12-15 of your telegram have been duly
noted.

5. Reply to points raised in paragraphs 16 and 17 will be sent
separately.