TOP
SECRET
COPY NO.
11
3
CYPHER/CAT A
PRICRITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 754
TOP SECRET
FOR MONSON FROM GOVERNOR.
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
23 SEPTEMBER 1969
VISITING PARLIAMENTARY GROUP UNDER MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AUSPICES.
I SAW THIS GROUP AT THE IR REQUEST ON THE EVENING OF 22 SEPTEMBER.
IN THE COURSE OF THE DISCUSSION, LORD BLYTON SAID HE PRESUMED THAT
WE HAD PLANS FOR THE EVACUATION OF EUROPEANS OF BRITISH NATIONALITY
IN THE EVENT OF A CHINESE TAKE-OVER OF HONG KONG. I WAS UNABLE TO
AVOID AN ANSWER, AND REPLIED FIRMLY THAT WE HAD NO SUCH PLANS, ON
HIS PROTESTING, I POINTED OUT THAT:-
(A) THERE WAS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR SUCH DISCRIMINATION.
(B) ANY SUSPICION THAT ANY SUCH INTENTION WAS IN OUR MINDS LOCALLY
WOULD CAUSE A DISASTROUS LOSS OF CONFIDENCE AND
(C) IT WOULD PROBABLY BE IMPOSSIBLE ANYWAY.
2. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP APPEARED IN ACREEMENT WITH ME,
ALTHOUGH ONE (1 FEAR I AM NOW NOT CLEAR WHICH) DID REMARK TO THE
EFFECT THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE COULD BE NO PLAN NEVERTHELESS SUCH AN
EVACUATION WOULD HAVE TO BE EXTEMPORISED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE - A POINT
I DID NOT FOLLOW UP AS I WAS ANXIOUS TO LET THE SUBJECT DROP QUICKLY,
3. LORD BLYTON HOWEVER WAS OBVIOUSLY DISSATISFIED AND MAY RAISE THE
LORD
MATTER ON HIS RETURN. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL
IF CONSIDERATION COULD BE GIVEN TO IMPRESSING ON HIM (AND PERHAPS THE
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP) VERY EARLY THE EXTREME DANGERS OF EVEN
MENTIONING THIS ISSUE OUTSIDE THE VERY RESTRICTED APPROPRIATE
CIRCLES.
LAST
SIR D. TRENCH
RG' TRY No.51
- 2 OCT 1969
AKKIO.
13
SIR S. TOMLINSON
FILE S
MR. CARTER, H.K.1.
P.U.S.
- P.S. TO LORD SHEPHERD
MR. WILFORD
MR. MURRAY, F.E.D.
TOP SECRET
GGGGG
COPY TO :
MR. J.M. GIBBON,
M.O.D.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.