For Prime Minister [2] from Prime Minister.

1. We are most anxious to assist you in your anxieties over the
strengthening of the garrison at Ceylon.

2. The President while fully appreciating our difficult home
defence position in relation to the proposed return of the A.I.F.

was good enough to suggest that he would be glad if we could see
our way clear to make available some reinforcements from later
detachments of the three divisions of the A.I.F. which have all
been allocated from the Middle East to Australia.

3. For the purpose of temporarily adding to the garrison for
Ceylon we make available to you two brigade groups of the 6th
Division. These are comprised in the third flight of the A.I.F.

and are embarking from Suez. We ask that adequate air support will
be available in Ceylon and that if you divert the two brigade
groups they will be escorted to Australia as soon as possible
after their relief. We are also relying on the understanding that
the 9th Division will return to Australia under proper escort as
soon as possible.

4. As you know we are gravely concerned at the weakness of our
defences, but we realise the significance of Ceylon in this
problem and make this offer believing that in the plans you are at
present making, you realise the importance of the return of the
A.I.F. in defending both Australia and New Zealand.

5. We hope very early to send you a submission on your No. 169 [3]
regarding the Anzac Area. [4]