CO129-582-11 Dispersal of convicts in the event of war 10-7-1939 - 30-8-1939 — Page 9

18313-26-11-32)

TELEPHONE:-WHITEHALL 8100

Telegrams:-"IMPRISON, Parl, London"

SECRET

adore

k

Str

odol:

PRISON COMMISSION,

HOME OFFICE,

3

WHITEHALL, S.W.1.

15th August, 1939.

2

Dear Gent,

Thank you for your letter of August 10th enclosing one

from the Governor of Hong Kong.

In this country we are in a somewhat similar position,

but the position is not so serious as that indicated in the Governor's

letter. In the event of war we shall be compelled to close all the

London prisons, and some of those in the provincial cities. Fortu-

of

nately, we have considerable reserves for accommodation in places

which are comparatively immune from attack. These would not, however,

suffice for the total amount to be evacuated from London and elsewhere,

and we have, therefore, arranged that all those prisoners who have

three months or less to serve on the date of evacuation, will be

immediately discharged.

In view of the numbers quoted in Sir Geoffry Northcote's

letter, I should imagine that he would find it necessary to be some-

what more generous, and to release those who have less than a year

to serve.

G. E. J. Gent, Esq.,

O.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.

Yours sincerely,

A Patron

(9)

Ansol.

Page

Page

לים

(*3950-150) Wt. 46262-29 30.000

10

3/39 T.S. 695

54039/39 Hong Kong.

C. O.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Bickle

S-o for Mr. Gent's signature.

10 August, 1939.

Mr. A. J. Dawe.

Sir H. Moore.

Sir G. Tomlinson.

Sir J. Shuckburgh.

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. of S.

Secretary of State.

DRAFT.

A. PATERSON, ESC,, MIC

It sme WAR OFFICE?

SECRET.

Dear Paterson,

I enclose a copy of a letter

which i have received from Sir Geoffry

Northcote, the Governor of Hong Kong,

in which he raises the question of the

method of dealing with the local prison

(1)

FURTHER ACTION.

population in the event of an attack

being made on the Colony by Japan.

As You will appreciate that in

in the event of a war with Japan the verv

small area of Hong Kong would provide no

place safe from bombardment to which

prisoners could be transferred.

You

will remember that a similar problem

was discussed with you recently as

affecting Kenya.

There it is proposed

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