NATIONAL
CHEME
The War Office,
SECRET
Whitehall,
S.W.1.
4+18
4 December, 1941.
FOR
MEN
DISABLED D/235
Dear Gent,
Reference your letter 54058/41 of 3/12, we fully agree with the lines of the reply which you propose to send to Masson as outlined in the second paragraph of your letter.
ith
With regard to the longer term problem, we feel that any modified relaxation of the existing restrictions may well lead to far more trouble than the firm maintenance of what is, after all, only a prudent wartime measure. The description of essential services, while easy on paper, may not be so easy to put over to the disappointed inhabitants of Hong Kong. The armed forces may be regarded as essential services. I suggest they should be, but it seems most unlikely that we should be in a position to agree to the relaxation of the present regulations unless there is some radical change in the political atmosphere of the Far East.
We do not, however, wish to turn down your suggestion out of hand. We feel that if any such alteration in regulations is to be proposed the matter should be referred to the Governor who, in consultation with G.O.C. Hong Kong should formulate his proposals as to any alteration in the existing regulations.
The number of personnel mentioned in the letters attached to your letter seems hardly to justify a change in policy.
Yours
C.E.J. Gent Esq., C.M.G., D.S.O., O.B.E.,
M.C.,
sincerely
7. Scott.
Colonial Office,
S.W.1.