Previously registered on a Temporary File.
9 Treasury
23.8.41.
6
G. F.J.G.
This was really written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his capacity as an M.P. and the writer does not appear to have realized the constitutional unorthodoxy of asking a Member of His Majesty's Government to put a question to that Government.
We have not had an approach direct from anv other M.P. (the House is not sitting so that Questions. can hardly be put) and I should have thought it doubtful whether we would get anv. Recent developments in the Far East have not been such as to obscure the reason for evacuation or make exclusion from evacuation seem a desirable privilege.
We might send a copy to the Governor
explaining that it had been referred to this Department by direction of the Chancellor of the Eychequer and saying that Secretary of State is content to leave it to the Governor's discretion whether Mr. C. should have his attention drawn to the various public pronouncements already made on the reasons for the evacuation. (I doubt whether we should ask for a report on (2) and (4) of Mr. C's points, though this is a frequent charge.)
(Sed.) ".B.L.MONSON
29.8.41.
I agree.
(Sgd.) G.F.J.GENT
23.8.
So does Mr. Eastwood.
(Sed.) ".M.SAUNDERS
29.8.
OFSTROYED UNDER STATÜ Kong 104 (w/copy 9)
11 Sir G. Northcote s/o
12 Fxtract from H.K.Gazette 20.6.41.
10.9.41.
8.7.41.
No.12. This Question and Answer make interesting reading in view of the whole.
No.11. I send on with this the text of Sir Geoffry Northcote's broadcast as reported in the "Hong Kong Weekly Press". (It need not be registered as in due course we shall have the copy which is coming by despatch for the file.)
•
Put by.
(Sod.) W.B. L. MONSON
26.9.
No.12