X
Any telegraphic retransmission of this secret cypher (publex) telegram must be prepared in a one-time system.
1
Outward Telegram from Commonwealth Relations Office
2770
DEFENCE AND CIVIL AVIATION DEPT.
D. 3246/7 P.Q.
CYPHER (PUBLEX)
TO:
DIST. 'S'
ACTING U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN CANADA U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN THE COMMONWEALTH
OF AUSTRALIA ACTING U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN NEW ZEALAND U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN THE UNION OF
SOUTH AFRICA
U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN INDIA
U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN PAKISTAN ACTING U.K. HIGH COMMISSIONER IN CEYLON
SENT:
12.40 hours, 22nd June, 1949
PRIORITY
Y. No. 252
ON
Following is text of statement which will be made by Minister
of Defence in House of Commons this afternoon 22nd June, in reply
to question asking for a statement on his recent visit to Hong Kong
and the Far East.
રે
Begins.
During a short tour in the early part of this month, when
i
I visited Ceylon and Malaya, and also took the opportunity of
making a general study of the whole position in the Far East, I
stayed for three days in Hong Kong for discussions
authorities, both civil and military, on the spot
ith the
As I indicated, on behalf of the Government, when in Hong
Kong, our object is to maintain the friendliest possible relations.
with whatever may be the Government of China, at the same time
taking into account our obligations to the
of the territory
for which we are responsible I found that the responsible
authorities are facing their problems with confidence and, in the
field of defence all practicable steps are being taken to ensure
the safety of Hong Kong.
The House will know that His Majesty's Government have
already decided to re-inforce the garrison in Hong Kong in view of
/the uncertain