14th October,1942
January, 1943
8th November,1944
3rd May, 1945
ANNEXURE 1
Summary of the assurances which have been given
concerning the Future of Hong Kong
The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Law) in reply to a question in the House of Commons asking whether the contemplated renunciation of British rights in China included also the transference of Hong Kong back to the Chinese nation said:-
"No Sir. The proposed agreement with the Chinese Government relates only to the surrender of extraterritorial rights in Chinese territory."
In answer to a further question as to whether a good impression would not be created if we renounced our position in Hong Kong Hr. Law replied:-
"That is another problem which has nothing to do with the declaration made in Washington and London the other day.
In reply to a further question as to whether Hong Kong's status as a Crown Colony had been altered by the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Republic of China, the Secretary of State for the Colonies replied that it had not.
Mr. Attlee Foplying as Lord President of the Council to a question by Mr. Astor as to whether Hong Kong or any other part of thỏ Empire was excluded from r. Churchill's declaration that it was not proposed to liquidate the British Empire said:-
Mr
"No part of the British Empire or Commonwealth of Fations was cxcluded from the scope of the declaration referred to. 17
Astor went on to ask whether all encouragement will now be given to British firms to prepare plans for re-est blishing themselves in Hong Kong and getting on with British export trade in that area.
Mr. Attlee replied:-
"That is obviously so."
In a letter from the Colonial Office, the terms of which wore agreed with the Foreign Office and which was sent in reply to a request from the China Association for a re-assurance of His Majesty's Government's intention to retain Hong Kong, it was pointed out that the reply given by the Foreign Secretary in answer to a question in the House of Commons on the 6th March to the effect that the status of British Colonies would not be altered without consultation with such Colonies and the sanction of the House, included Hong Kong. The letter went
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