CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 956

the Chinese

to press for

e to make a

tion in the

by open boycott,

sity of

ude, regardless

our position

expediency, an

1 for a lease

ugh the

le initiative

mpting

he first course,

in from taking

h the Chinese

d territories

that, in

ng the future

in business some

tement that

In office

al Office

cms

Ref.:

CO 537/1649

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

14th October,1942

January, 1943

00058

1

2

cms

Ref.:

Please note!

CO 537/1649

subject to the National Archives' terms and

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

subject subject to copyright

. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Cons and that your use of leaflet.

I Conditions of supply of National

ANNEXURE

Summary of the assurances which have been given

concerning the Future of Hong Kɔng

The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Law) in reply to a question in the House of Com ons asking whether the contemplated remunciation of British rights in China included also the transferonco of Hong Kong back to the Chinese nation said:-

"No Sir. The proposed agreement with the Chinese Government relates only to the su render of extraterritorial rights in Chinose territory."

In anever to a further question as to whether a

good impression wo ld not be created if we renounced our position in Hong Kong Hr. Low replied:-

"That is nother problem which has nothing t do with the declaration made in

London the other day.

11

ashington and

In reply to a further question as to whether Hong Kong's status aa Croin Colony had been

altered by the agroomont baten his Tajesty's Government and the Republic of China, the Secretary of State for the Colonics replied that it had not.

Mr. Attlee Poplying as Lord President of the Council to e question by Ir. Astor as to whether Hong Kong or any other pa t of the En iro was excluded from r. Churchill's declaration that it was not poposed to liquid to the ritish Empire said:-

"No part of thritis En ire or Commonwealth of Fations was excluded from the scope of the declaration referred to"

Mr. Astor wont n tsk whether all uncouragement will now be given to British ims to prop-re lons for Pu-cat bishi thom-ulves in Hong Kɔng and getting on with British export trade in that area.

Mr. Attlee replied:-

"That is obviously so.

th

In a letter from the Colonial Office, the terms of which woro agreed with the Foreign Office and hich was sent in reply to a req.est from the China Association for a ru-ansurance of ie lajcsty's Government's intention to retain Hong Kong, it was pointed out that the reply given by the Foreign Secretary in answer to a question in the House of Co imons on the 6th arch to th. effect that the status of British Colonios would not bu alterud without consultation with such Colonies and the sanction of the House, included Hong Kong. The letter went

/on

8th November,1944

3rd May, 1945