ind
•
Any communication on
the
subject of this letter should be addressed to-
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE,
HOME OFFICE,
LONDON, S.W.1.
and the following number quoted :
471,085/16.
Sir,
NOUYN FOR DIS
SCHEME
MEN
E-61.1AY 1933
3
HOME OFFICE,
WHITEHALL.
5th May, 1933.
616
With reference to your letter 13773/33 of the 13th ultimo forwarding a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong stating that it is proposed in future to grant full passports for the United Kingdom to Chinese of the business and professional classes who can prove Hong Kong birth and produce satisfactory evidence as to character and ability to support themselves in their existing walk of life, I am directed by Secretary Sir John Gilmour to say, for the information of Secretary Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, that the granting to or withholding of passports from persons of British nationality is a matter primarily for the Foreign Office but so far as Sir John Gilmour is concerned he considers it very desirable not to encourage the entry into the United Kingdom of persons of Chinese race who may seek employment as manual
The Governor's proposal workers or small traders or become destitute.
appears to be similar to the practice adopted for dealing with British Indians and Sir John Gilmour does not desire to raise objection to it.
The Under Secretary of State,
COLONIAL OFFICE.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
E.h. Cooper