Cypher
CONFIDENTIAL
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (0.A.G.)
Sent 21st July, 1967 23552
CANDA BOLES
942
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 1506
Following P.Q. by Mr. John Tilney, M.P. is for reply Tuesday 25th July.
20
3.
"To ask the Secretary of State whether he is satisfied that supplies of food and water for Hong Kong are, and will be adequate; and if he will make a statement."
Draft reply for submission to Ministers is as follows:
"Yes.
A temporary stoppage of food supplies from China was organised by the local Communist leadership at the end of June. Since then supplies have been normal. If further stoppages occur it may be neces- sary to turn to other sources, which are of course available, in order to ensure a regular supply of essential foodstuffs. The practical arrangements are under urgent examination.
24th July.
In regard to water there has still been no reply to the request to the Chinese for additional supplies and in consequence, the domestic mains supply is restricted to 4 hours every fourth day. It should be possible to maintain this supply, and possibly increase it, without recourse to imported water, provided that rainfall during next twelve months is not quite exceptionally low. The position is under continuous review.
1?
Grateful for your comments by 11.00 hours G.M.T.
Distribution: - H.K. & W.I.D. 'C'
I.G.D.
Officer-in-Charge of
Parliamentary and Ceremonial Duties
946
CONFIDENTIAL
MAA