CO537-3704 — Page 58

Cypher (0.7,P.)

INWARD

TELEGRAM

OOPY FOR REGISTRATION

FROM HONG KONG (Sir M. Young)

TO S. OF S., COLONIES.

D. 13th February, 1947, R. 13th

08.35 hrs.

RECEIVED

6- MAR 1947

C.O. REGY.

No. 282 Top Secrat.

1.0 At present, prior reference to this Government is required for entry of all Indian civilians, other than VIPS, personnel for essential undertakinga and important business men, on the lines of procedure laid down in S.B.A.0. 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 permite wers required except for Indians of limited means.

2. While I should be prepared to agree to restoretion of the pre-war position 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 seeme clear from commente of the Indian authori ti ea 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 Bume and I should be grateful for your advice as to polioy 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.

Distributed to:~

M.S.25

Secretary of State

Sir T. Lloyd

Mr. Seel

Mr. Caine

Mr. Bennett

Mr. Bigg

Mr. Horns

Mr. Burgess Mr. Mayle Miss Rustow Mr. Acheson Mr. Poynton

Colonel Rolleston