imported into Hong Kong on consignment".
In the
98
interests of British trade the Board find themselves
entirely in sympathy with the Governor's view that Hong Kong should be used as a showroom and depôt for the
wares of British aircraft manufacturers, and they see no
reason why similar facilities should not be afforded to
British manufacturers of other kinds of war material,
e. g. tanks.
Subject to the views of the Foreign Office
and the Service Departments, to whom copies of this letter
have been sent, I am therefore to suggest that unless
Secretary Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister sees any objection
licences should in future be issued for the exportation
of reasonable quantities of arms etc. to reputable
consignees in Hong Kong on consignment". Before the
licences were issued the Board would propose to seek the
advice of the Foreign Office and the appropriate Service
Departments as well as of your Department. In addition,
the Board would propose to obtain in every case a written
assurance from the exporters in this country that the arms
would not be re-exported from Hong Kong to any destination
without the written consent of the Government of the
Colony.
This procedure ought effectively to prevent any