CO537-6048 — Page 71

RAD/15m/6915

OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Telephone-

TEMPLE BAR 8484

FOR FOR INDIA.

Address for Inland Telegrams--

HICOMIND, ESTRAND, LONDON. Cables-HICOMIND, LONDON.

14453

453

54105/13 (TS.)

Please quote the under-mentioned reference, and address any further communications to:-

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR INDIA,

NATIONAL

FOR

SCHEN

DISABLED

MEN

and not to any individual by name.

Reference

EXT.40.5.2..

TO:

EXTERNAL DEPARTMENT,

INDIA HOUSE, ALDWYCH,

LONDON, W.C.2.

岍

and form)

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

Church House, Great Smith Street, S.W.1.

19th August, 1949

and (21)

2

SUBJECT:

Entry of Indians into Hong Kong.

Sir,

I am directed by the High Commissioner to draw your attention to the fact that prior to World War II, Indians enjoyed the right of practically unrestricted entry into Hong Kong except in regard to those of strictly limited means and others who se entry was for the purpose of petty employment. At the end of the War. Indians wishing to visit Hong Kong were required, under military control, to obtain the prior sanction of the local administration and this restriction was continued in force even after the Civil Government had been restored.

I am to say that in June 1946, the Government of India approached the Government of Hong Kong with a request for the withdrawal of these restrictions and were informed that the position would be reviewed at the end of that year. The Government of India again approached the Hong Kong Government in 1947 but were still informed that the matter was under consideration. No progress appears to have been made in regard to this matter and the Government of India would be grateful if His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would take such urgent steps as are appropriate to restore the right of unrestricted entry of Indians into Hong Kong as it existed prior to the War

•

The High Commissioner would be grateful for an early reply.

ARCEIVED

OAC

COLONIAL OF

301:10 TVING

האוצר

Yours faithfully,

konet

(R.A.L. GONET).

for Secretary, External Department.