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TOP SECRET

CIPHER TELEGRAM

Пис Соборов.

ka

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments or Headquarters or re-transmitted, even in cipher, without being paraphrased. (Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased.)

cons

Hthe prio

Desp. 261830 Feb'46

D.T.0. 2611002

From:

War Office.

To: 99057

C. in. C. Hong Kong

cipher (C....4)

26

Feb. 46.

TOP SECRET

IMMEDIATE

7on

The critical world food situation particularly as regards rice

and wheat has been engaging the attention of all branches of His Majesty's Government. In this connection Ministers have been somewhat alarmed at the thought that Hong Kong's food requirements may be artificially swollen by immigration from the mainland. In these circumstances Ministers have directed that most urgent enquiries should be made whether any steps can be taken to check the infiltration of Chinese into Hong Kong.

Fully appreciate reasons which led to lifting of immigration restrictions against Chinese as set out in paragraph 5 of your 494 cipher 15th November and also political considerations involved, but should be grateful if you would review matter in light of critical food situation and advise as soon as possible whether anything can be done to restrict

any influx of population into Hong Kong which would add to our liabilities.

C.6.(Tels.)

Distribution by C.A.4.

S. of S.

U.S. of S.

F.U.S.

D.U.S.(A) (B)

D.F. (A)

D.C.A.

D.D.C.A. (M.G.) (3)

D.E. (C.A.)

C.A-4, 17.

M.0.1, 12.

M.I.2, 5, 17.

A.C.S.

Defence Office

Foreign Office (Mr. Sterndale Bennett)

Colonial Office (Mr. Mayle)

(Tel. Dist. Sec.)(15)

Ministry of Food (Mr. H.L. Sanderson)