F
ONAL
DISABLED
Any communication on the subject of this letter should addressed fo
be
The Under SECRETARY OF STATE,
HOME OFFICE,
LONDON, S.W. I,
and the following number quoted :—
471,085/6.
RES
cb
16535
RE 11 PR 25
HOME OFFICE,
183
WHITEHALL.
9th April, 1925,
i
Sir,
..
With reference to your letter of the 6th March (8243/1925) enclosing & despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong regarding the issue of certificates of identity to Chinese in Hong Kong for the purpose of proceeding to this country, I am directed by Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks to say, for the information of Mr. Secretary Amery, that he understands from the Governor's despatch that the persons in question fall into three classes, viz:-
(1) Chinese in possession of clear proof of birth in Hong Kong: (ii) Chinese who claim birth in Hong Kong but cannot prove it; and (iii) Chinese students resident in Hong Kong though not claiming
birth there,
As regards class (1) above mentioned, in view of the considerations put forward by the Governor Sir William Joynson-Hicks raises no objection, so far as the Home Office is concerned, to the issue of certificates of identity in place of British passports issued in Hong Kong. The individual. will be treated as British subjects on arriving in this country, mu
3. With regard to classe (ii) and (iii) Sir William Joynson-Hicks would observe, first of all, that the experience of this Department shows that there are large numbers of Chinese who are anxious to gain entry into the United Kingdom by any means, usually for the purpose of settling down and taking employment in the United Kingdom, and occasionally with more undesirable activities in view (and, it may be observed, claims to birth in Hong Kong appear to be put forward by such persons as a matter of habit for the purpose of avoiding trouble with the authorities in this country.). He fears, therefore, that if it should become known among them that facilities could be obtained at all freely from the authorities in Hong Kong to proceed to the United Kingdom as students, the system might afford a considerable loophole for the incursion into this country of Chinese who may profess e.g. that their object is study, but in fact intend to remain in the country and The Under Secretary of State,
COLONIAL OFFICE.
take/
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