CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923 — Page 11

2997/23

sir.

SECRET

-

Downing Street,

2 February, 1923.

E SECRETARY,

I am directed by the Duke of Devonshire to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 1.43758/22 of the 16th of January on the subject of harbour development at

Hong Kong.

2.

As regards the statement in paragraph3 of your letter that in consequence of the Washington Treaty His Majesty's Goverment will not be in a position to sub- sidise any works designed for the harbour development of the Colony, I am to invite reference to the terms of the letter from this Department of the 9th of November 1922, in reply to your jetter M.0255 of the 28th of October, and to the latter portion of paragraph 2 of the letter from the Foreign Office to the Committee of Imperial Defence of the 12th of January 1923 (C.1.D.Paper No.185 C) The Secretary of State is not aware of any proposal that the commercial development of the port of Hong Kong should be assisted by the Imperial Government and His Grace

presimes

ATMIRALTY.