TNAG-0317-FCO40-353-Policy-of-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-problem-of-s-1971 — Page 99

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dissidents has participated in Anti-Vietnam War demonstrations and drawn attention to themselves by continually attacking, in letters to the local and British press and on the radio, Hong Kong Government policies and the "colonial" administration. their activities critical of Government they have associated themselves closely with Mrs. Elsie Elliott but appear to command little or no public support. They are known to have contacted the New China News Agency and the Ta Kung Tao and to have formed a "Revolutionary Group" which meets or did meet every Friday, at which communist songs were sung.

Again, as regards the allegations made near the bottom of page 10 of their communication concerning the non-renewal of

HKIL 22/11 (1470) visas you may wish to refer to Arthur Maddocks' letter SCR 15/2041/70

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11x1122/6 (1271)

of 16 October 1970, to Laird, which gives background information and also my telegram No.16 of 11 January 1971.

With regard to conditions in the early resettlement blocks we admit indeed assert they are bad; worse, in fact, as I told Mr. Heath, than some squatter areas, but as has been pointed out the rents are extremely low and the newest estates are a great improvement.

Apart from these particular comments, the enclosed paper prepared in the Secretariat deals with the matters raised in the letter in more detail. The letter is imprecise, inaccurate, bigoted and has no regard for the realities. The attached paper does, I hope, cover fairly the criticisms made in the letter - but we are dealing with a somewhat evasive target.

Заня

Sea

Hugh Namen. Wombwen

Низа

(P.S. The above

ใน

ams

dafles

من

from

Aching Conamar

вик

anitz

to the intuvaili in of

public holiton

is sent

من

from Colonial Seemetary!

k.).

CONFIDENTIAL