No. SECRET
54658/4/41
10
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
24th October, 1941.
19
Enclosure N
1
•
My Lord,
With reference to Sir Geoffry Northcote's despatch No.177 of 12th August 1941. I have the honour to transmit herewith for Your Lordship's consideration copies of correspondence which has passed between this Government and the Evacuation Representation Committee on the subject of that committee's request for an enquiry into the working of the evacuation scheme. I suggest that the two letters from the Committee dated 20th September and 16th October, 1941, might be regarded as a formal petition although they were not submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Colonial Regulations.
2. The Evacuation Representation Committee has also addressed letters to the unofficial members of Legislative Council asking them to introduce in that Council a resolution Enclosure No.2. transmit copies of replies sent to the Committee by the
calling upon Government to institute such an enquiry and I senior unofficial member (Mr. J.J. Paterson) and by the Chinese members.
185/13139/1/40
3. In this connexion I invite reference to Lord Lloyd's secret telegram No.514 of 20th September, 1940, and to Lieutenant-General Norton's reply in secret telegram No.596 of 24th September, 1940.
4. My Executive Council is in agreement with me in believing that no useful purpose would be served by instituting such an enquiry at the present time. I am satisfied indeed that it would do positive harm and I recommend that a reply should be sent to the effect that you are unable to accede to the petitioners' request.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,
marky
Yound.
Governor.
ds.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LORD MOYNE OF BURY ST. EDMUNDS, D.S.O.,
&c.,
&C.,
&c.
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