4th February, 1947.
84
Many thanks for your letter of the 28th January F.527/376/G). I am anxious that the Far Eastern official) Committee should proceed with their
There is, of course, advantage paper on Hong Kong.
in deferring a final decision until we know General Marshall's general attitude towards China, but it seems to me that we need not request the Official Committee to hold up further consideration of this matter. They could, I imagine for this purpose, assume that General Marshall's attitude would be against our taking any action which was likely to boost the present Chinese Government in any way, and that if this proved to be wrong by the time the paper reached the Cabinet Committee, the matter could be adjusted there.
I understand that the revised paper which has been prepared for the Official Committee is at present with your people for cominents.
The first
part of it is devoted to making out the case for our retaining Hong Kong. The paper then goes on to give reasons for an early declaration of our intention tọ remain in Hong Kong, and then to discuss the line to be taken in the event of the Chinese seeking the discussions on the New Territories which were contemplated in 1943.
The need for a reassuring statement has been pressed very strongly by the Governor of Hong Kong and in other quarters. The uncertainty is seriously impeding the rehabilitation and development of Hong Kong. I am reliably informed that businessmen will not consider long term projects and that
The Rt. Hon. Ernest Bevin, M.P.
Hong