CO537-2187 — Page 39

136. Foreign Office (F 14603/28/10)

137. Minister of Transport (GVH/Ke)

Th. Dagle

No. 136

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5-11-47.

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You should also see the letter from the Ministry of Transport's representative in Hong Kong, below No. 137.

I would like to suggest that the question of issuing a public statement about our intentions concerning Hong Kong should be taken up with Mr. Bevin again. If the Secretary of State is prepared to do this, he might, perhaps, wish the Department to prepare a memorandum or aide memoire, setting out the arguments in favour of a statement. What I had in mind was a reply to an arranged Question in the House, which would give the necessary assurance and then go on to set out in general terms what our policy is to be, that is to make Hong Kong the shop window of China.

10.11.47.

Gai

12/17

Sir Thomas Lloyd.

You may be interested to read the enclosure to 137. It puts very well the case from the business point of view for an early declaration of British intentions.

As regards Mr. Mayle's suggestion that we should take up again the possibility of such a statement being made, please refer to the Secretary of State's minute of the 12th of May. Apart from the continuance of a state of affairs, according to the representations made, in which Hong Kong is losing the benefit of the investment of capital, I doubt whether there has been any substantial change in the position. Whether there has been any change in the likely attitude of the United State Govern- ment to a declaration, I have no means of knowing; but I suggest that Mr. Mayle should first find out the views of the Foreign Office at his level, before we consider whether to suggest to the Secretary of State that he should approach Mr. Bevin again personally.

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10.11.1947.