18313-26-11-32)
TELEPHONE:-WHITEHALL 8100
Telegrams:-"IMPRISON, Parl, London"
SECRET
adore
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Str
odol:
PRISON COMMISSION,
HOME OFFICE,
3
WHITEHALL, S.W.1.
15th August, 1939.
2
Dear Gent,
Thank you for your letter of August 10th enclosing one
from the Governor of Hong Kong.
In this country we are in a somewhat similar position,
but the position is not so serious as that indicated in the Governor's
letter. In the event of war we shall be compelled to close all the
London prisons, and some of those in the provincial cities. Fortu-
of
nately, we have considerable reserves for accommodation in places
which are comparatively immune from attack. These would not, however,
suffice for the total amount to be evacuated from London and elsewhere,
and we have, therefore, arranged that all those prisoners who have
three months or less to serve on the date of evacuation, will be
immediately discharged.
In view of the numbers quoted in Sir Geoffry Northcote's
letter, I should imagine that he would find it necessary to be some-
what more generous, and to release those who have less than a year
to serve.
G. E. J. Gent, Esq.,
O.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.
Yours sincerely,
A Patron
(9)
Ansol.
Page
Page
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(*3950-150) Wt. 46262-29 30.000
10
3/39 T.S. 695
54039/39 Hong Kong.
C. O.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Bickle
S-o for Mr. Gent's signature.
10 August, 1939.
Mr. A. J. Dawe.
Sir H. Moore.
Sir G. Tomlinson.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Permt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
DRAFT.
A. PATERSON, ESC,, MIC
It sme WAR OFFICE?
SECRET.
Dear Paterson,
I enclose a copy of a letter
which i have received from Sir Geoffry
Northcote, the Governor of Hong Kong,
in which he raises the question of the
method of dealing with the local prison
(1)
FURTHER ACTION.
population in the event of an attack
being made on the Colony by Japan.
As You will appreciate that in
in the event of a war with Japan the verv
small area of Hong Kong would provide no
place safe from bombardment to which
prisoners could be transferred.
You
will remember that a similar problem
was discussed with you recently as
affecting Kenya.
There it is proposed
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