CO537-2187 — Page 69

RESTRICTED

Dear Scott,

Colonial Office,

Church House,

193 /ཀ༽ ་

Great Smith Street,

9. W.1.

24th October, 1947.

Here is a copy of the telegram from

Hong Kong about which I spoke to you on the telephone this afternoon.

As I told you, we shouli very much like to issue a statement here to the effect that there are no high level talks progressing on the issue of Hong Kong. I understand, however, that you would not feel able to agree to such a statement without submitting the matter to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and that in any case you would wish to know exactly what Lord Almon did say in Shanghai.

By the time that has been done, the moment for issuing the statement would probably have passed. However, we think that it might be as well in any cuse to find out exactly what Lord Ammon did say. If you agreo, perhaps you would ask our Ambassador at Nanking.

Yours sincerely,

A.L. SCOTT, ESQ.

(N.L. Mayle)