COPY
SECRET
Ref.P/247
Sir,
OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM,
6 ALBUQUERQUE ROAD,
NEW DELHI.
10th February, 1950.
I am directed by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in India to refer to the Ministry of External Affairs' Memorandum No. D. 7870-CJK/49 of 25th January on the subject of the entry of Indians into the territory of Hong Kong.
In accordance with instructions received from the United Kingdom Government, this High Commission was about to address the Government of India on the subject in question. As mentioned in the Colonial Office letter of 24th November, 1949, the United Kingdom authorities have for some time past had under consideration in consultation with the Governor of Hong Kong the question whether the present regulations could be relaxed to admit to the Colony, without prior reference to the Governor, a wider category of Indian citizens than is at present permitted. Though the over-crowded state of the Colony makes it imperative to weigh very carefully at the moment any proposal to widen the classes of persons who may be admitted, the Governor has indicated his willingness, subject to the proviso mentioned in para. 3 below, admit without prior reference to himself (for one year in the first instance and without guarantee of extention), the following categories of Indians:-
to
(a) bona fide merchants with sufficient means who wish
to join established firms in Hong Kong;
(b) bona fide business men with substantial backing
who wish to open up in Hong Kong; of a class better than that of a petty trader;
(c) visitors for short periods who have sufficient
funds to maintain themselves and are in possession
/of