CO129-504-4 Fong Saw- claim to be a British subject 12-3-1927 - 14-6-1927 — Page 11

Aned 4 JUN 1827

SCHEME NEW

NOILVN FOR DIS

Any communication on the subject of this letter should be addressed to-

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE,

HOME OFFICE,

LONDON, S.W. 1,

and the following number quoted :

439,850/2.

RECEIVED [27 MAY 1927

COL. OFFICE

HOME OFFICE,

WHITEHALL.

24th May, 1927.

3

Sir,

I am directed by Secretary Sir William Joynson Hicks to say

for the information of Mr. Secretary Amery that he has had

occasion to investigate the nationality of one Fang or Fong Saw

of whom it is stated that he was born in "Shek Pik Village, Lan

Tas Island, which is part of the Colony of Hong Kong", and he

understands from semi-official enquiry at the Colonial Office

that the Governor of Hong Kong is satisfied that he was born at

Shek Pik New Territory about 1882. He also understands that in

or about the year 1899 the Law Officers of the Crown gave it

as their opinion that persons inhabiting the new territory who

were, before the cession or lease to Hong Kong, Chinese subjects

were to be regarded as British subjects for all purposes.

Sir William Joynson Hicks has no information at present as to

whether the man in question was residing in Shek Pik at the

crucial date, and he has some doubt whether he can properly be

regarded as a British subject or whether his claim to that

status would be recognised by a Court of Law in the United

Kingdom; but he would be glad of the views of the Colonial

Office on the point.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

Schen

Peader