TNAG-0052-FCO40-88-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 72

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5. In December 1967 the Executive Council

advised the Governor that the school should be

deregistered" (i.e. permanently closed), but

they left the timing of this step to the

Governor's own discretion.

The Governor has

hitherto deferred taking any action in the

matter in order to avoid possible repercussions

in Peking, having regard to other events in

Hong Kong since last November.

The Governor

has now stated that he cannot defer action for

much longer, since the existing closure order

is due to expire on 15 August and if the school

is not deregistered by that date it will have

to be allowed to reopen. The making of a

further closure order would not be appropriate

in the circumstances. The Governor is seeking

covering approval before he proceeds to

deregister the school, recognising that the

sensitive position of our Mission in Peking

6.

and of other British subjects in China are

considerations that must be taken into account.

There is a marked difference of opinion

between the Governor and Sir Donald Hopson, the

British Charge d'Affaires in Peking, as to

whether the school should, in fact, be

deregistered.

Possible Courses of Action

7.

Four courses of action are open to us:

A.

B.

To allow the school to reopen when the

closure order has elapsed, without

further action being taken.

To "deregister" staff and management,

allowing the school to reopen under

the same name with new (communist)

staff and management.

/ C....