In reaching their decisions on this matter H.M.
Government in the United Kingdom have of course kept
the Governments of the other Commonwealth countries
fully informed at all stages both of the policy being
followed and the measures being taken to implement it.
We have also been in touch with the Government of the
United States of America.
No-one who visits Hong Kong today can fail to
be impressed by the prosperity achieved by an extra- ordinarily rapid recovery from the effects of the late
War. Its expanding activities are of great importance
to the whole area and it is our purpose and our hope that
its facilities should continue to be freely available to
the nations of Asia and the world and be used for their
mutual benefit. As I indicated on behalf of the
Government when in Hong Kong, our object is to maintain
the friendliest possible relationship with whatever may be the Government of China, whilst remembering our
obligations to the people of the territory for which
we are responsible.
As a result of my visit to Hong Kong I can assure the House that the responsible authorities are facing their problems with confidence and that in the field of defence all practicable steps are being taken to
ensure the security of the Colony.