Any further communication on the subject of this letter should be addressed to the UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE, LONDON, S.W., the following number quoted :- X.81236.
WHITEHALL, 22nd January, 1901.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 12th instant with its enclosures asking that six officers from the Prison Service of England may be recommended for service at the Victoria Gaol, Hong Kong, I am directed by the Secretary of State to acquaint you, for the information of Mr Secretary Chamberlain, that owing to the large number of vacancies in the Prisons Staff at the present moment (125, of whom 85 are Reservists on military service) he much regrets that no prison officers can be spared for Colonial Service.
I am, sir, Your obedient Servant, Charles S. Murdoch.
Under Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c., Colonial Office.