OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM S. OF S.. COLONIES
53852/49
Cypher (0.T.P.)
TO NEW YORK (U.K. Delegation)
Sent 9th September, 1949.
EMERGENCY
13.00 hrs
(via Foreign Office)
8
BRIEF No.171
Secret.
Addressed to U.K. Delegation, New York. Repeated to Washington (Savingrama)
(New York please pass)
Following for Fletcher-Cooke from Galsworthy.
}
Your telegram Brief No.170, peragraph 6 statement by Li on sovereignty of Hong Kong leased territories.
Legal advice is that His Majesty exercise6 de fucto and de jure sovereignty over leased territories during currency of lease. Legal position is not crystal clear, however, and while we consider it important that Chinese statement should not go unanswered, you should not allow yourself to be drawn into debate on subject of rights in leased territories which is in any case beyond competence of Committee.
20
J
Grateful, therefore, if you will state and
ensure inclusion in summary records and Report of special Committee, 1 L's statement is recorded in latter document, that you must entirely reserve the position of H.M.G. on this matter.
Copies sent to:
Foreign Office
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Com..onwealth Relations Office
C
Mr. Scarlett Mr. Hildy ard
Mr. Ormerod