CO537-4800 — Page 41

the question of sovereignty, but concerns itself with the exercise of administrative responsibility. The representative of the United Kingdom can point out that his Government is responsible for the administration of the Leased Territories and therefore deems it appropriate, by the terms of the Charter, to transmit information on social, economic and educational conditions in those territories. If the United Kingdom representa- tive finds himself obliged to develop this argument, he may cause some embarrassment to the United States in view of their discussions with Panama regarding the transmission of information on the Canal Zone. He should therefore warn the United States delegation in advance that, if pressed, he will feel obliged to say something on these lines. He should insist that it is quite beyond the competence of the Fourth Committee to discuss the question of sovereignty".

In the event, the Chinese representative did not raise the question in the Fourth Committee. It is not considered likely that the Chinese representative will do so in the Plenary Assembly, but if he does, the United Kingdom delegate will be guided by the above instructions. I will inform you if the question is raised again.

6. The information for 1949 which you tansmit to me in respect of Hong Kong for forwarding to the Secretary- General of the United Nations should, therefore, include as heretofore information relating to Kowloon and the New Territories. If the transmission of this information is questioned in the Special Committee which is to be convened in 1950, or in any other organ of the United Nations, I propose, subject to any comment that you may wish to make, that the United Kingdom Delegate should, while making it clear that His Majesty's Government does not accept the views expressed by Mr. Li about the sovereignty of China over Kowloon and the New Territories, refer to Article 73 of the Charter in the manner set out in paragraph 5 above.

7. I shall in due course be sending all Colonial Governors a full account of the proceedings of the Special Committee, and of the discussions in the Fourth Committee and General Assembly arising out of the obligation contained in Article 73 (e) of the Charter.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

(sgd) A Cresch Jones.