CO537-3704 — Page 25

Copy/

INWARD TELEGRAM

•

Cypher (0.T.P.)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir M. Young)

To S. OF S., COLONIES

D. 13th February, 1947

R. 13th February, 1947 08.35 hrs.

No. 282 Top Secret

1. At present, prior reference to this Government is required for entry of all Indian civilians, other than VIPS, personnel for essential undertakings and important business men, on the lines of procedure laid down in S.E.A.C. directive No. 171/CA of 23rd January, 1946. This procedure has been retained in the case of India as no passage priority system is now in operation there. Government of India is pressing for restoration of pre-war arrangements whereby no entry permits were requited except for Indians of limited means.

2. While I should be prepared to agree to restoration of the pre-war position to persons not falling within the categories mentioned in Section 12 of Ordinance No. 32 of 1940 (?group omitted) subject to criminal and security screening, it seems clear from comments of the Indian authorities on individual applications for entry that their security screening would not be used to exclude Indians with highly undesirable records during the Japanese occupation. I regard the return of such persons as undesirable and as likely to lead to local resentment. Similar problems have presumably arisen in Malaya and Burma and I should be grateful for your advice as to policy to be adopted. Defence Security Officer suggested that the Director General of Security Services might be consulted.

3.

I should be grateful for early telegraphic reply.

Page 25Page 26