34/20795/4/42
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
With the compliments of the Under Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.
18 May, 1942.
F. 3670/21/10.
[CYPHER
Colonial Office.
(Mr. Monson)
Copy to Trsy
06
This Document is the property of His Britannic
Majesty's Governmen and should be kept
entz
under Lock and heyet,
SECRET.
Key.
107
DEPARTMENTAL NO ̊ 2.
No. 709.
FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO CHUNGKING.
16th May, 1942.
D. 6.40 p.m. 16th May, 1942.
999999999
IMMEDIATE.
35 t
Your telegram No. 562 of 25th April: treatment of Hong Kong Government officials.
bione
Colonial Office are not (repeat not), regarding all offices in Hong Kong as having been abolished.
2. Salaries will continue to accrue to European officers generally, as explained in my telegram No. 470 of April 5th while they remain prisoners of war and are in consequence precluded from seeking new employment. In the case of officers who have escaped Colonial Office consider that, subject to the fulfilment of obligations as regards notice, return passages etc., offices may be regarded as abolished. But it is not intended that this right should be exercised inequitably or without regard to circumstances, and your view that officers who escape should not be in worse position generally than those who remain in Hong Kong is fully accepted. Position as regards European (a) pensionable officers, and (b) officers serving on agreement is the following:-
(a)
Pensionable staff.
These, if re-employed within Colonial service, will
If released, remain on Hong Kong pensionable establishment. with consent of Colonial Office, for service with armed forces, they will similarly remain on establishment and be
There is no intention entitled to balance of civil pay.
that