HWB 9/12
Curtis Green,
September, 1967.
10
We have now had Hong Kong's comments on Mr. Handyside's letter of 21 July which you sent to George Thomas on 1 August.
As Mr. Handyside may have seen from the Hong Kong Press (he is a retired schoolmaster who served in the Colony and whose daughter teaches there now) the Director of Education wrote to nine left wing schools on 18 August warning them that if they failed to comply with the twelve conditions contained in his letter or with the Education Ordinance they would be liable to closure. I enclose two copies of the Director's letter and have no objection to you passing one to Mr. Handyside.
For reasons that I am sure you will appreciate,
Mr. Handyside cannot, I fear, be told what future measures are planned but he can be assured that the authorities are watching the situation closely.
As for his other questions, left wing schools in Hong Kong are not subsidised. Schools are usually notified in advance of an Inspector's visit out of courtesy.
The original of Mr. Handyside's letter and its enclosure is returned herewith.
102
MR. DAVID HOWELL,MP.
(SHEPHERD)