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28. Captain Peter Macdonald, To ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can make any statement with regard to the position of Hong Kong, including the evacuation of European women and children; the arrangements which are being made for administration in the absence of the governor; the limitation of Chinese immigration; and the arrangements for the feeding of the population.
(9th July: not for oral answer
DRAFT WRITTEN REPLY TO
CAPTAIN PETER MACDONALD,
UNIONIST, ISLE OF RIGHT.
answer)
In view of the possibility of
disturbance of normal channels of supply
to Hong Kong which was to be apprehended
from recent events in neighbouring
territories, H.. G. decided to put in hand
a scheme for the evacuation of british
women and children from the Colony.
Thanks to the kind hospitality of the
U.S. Government, these women and children
have in the first place been taken to
Manila. A certain number of Incion vosen
end children are being taken direct to
ports in India.
General conditions in the Fer
East also made it de irable in the view
of H.. G. that the administration of the
government of Hong Kong should in the
absence of cir Geoffry Northcote be temporarily entrusted to a senior Military
Officer, and Major-Gener: 1 E. 5. Morton,
the Officer Commanding the Western District
in India, has been selected for this
purpose and is expected very hortly to
arrive in the Colony.
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