SECRET AND PERSIJAL
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public of Hồng Kong are too sophisticated to be easily influenced by propaganda, especially since so many of them have experienced the delights of Chinese Communism at first hand, The present policy of the Communists in using their schools for the purposes of political indoctrination is bound to have a deleterious effect. They are likely to use this weapon to an increasing extent as an essential ingredient in their long term ideological "struggle" and it seems that the most effective method of combating (or at any rate confining) its effect, is to ensure as far as possible that the parents of children who would not normally attend non-Communist schools are not, for one reason or another (e.g, through lack of places at such schools) persuaded to send their children to the rival establishments. This, I know, does no more than re-iterate the conclusions we reached in our discussions with you last year. 5. You have seen that since the middle of December there has been a spate of Parliamentary Questions on the subject of Hong Kong detainees, convicted Communist prisoners, emergency regulations and related matters. I should like you to know how grateful we all are for the prompt and efficient manner in which Hong Kong has provided us with the material to reply to these Questions. We have our suspicions (well based, as you will now) about the reasons behind this series of uestions and it seems that one Hong Kong newspaper at least (see the "Star" of 28th January) shares them. Whether anything cần be done about it remains to be seen, In any event, I am not at all sure that the eventual outcome of this Parliamentary interest may not turn out to be to Hong Kong's advantage.
6.
As regards emergency regulations, we were very grateful for your Saving Despatch No, 70 of 21st January with its very useful summary setting out the precise position as regards those regulations still in force, those which have been lifted and those which have been, or will be, incorporated in the permanent law. We are glad you have it in mind to take a look at the more contentious regulations (e.g. those relating to the power of detention and the Committee of
Review)
SECRET AND PERSONAL