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ANEX D
MMARY OF ÁSSURANCES GIVEN BY HIS Magsty's GovernMERT SINCE 1949
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF Howa Kuwa
th October, 1862
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Law), reply to a question in the House of Commons asking whether the contemplated unciation of British rights in China included also the transfareas of Hong ›ng back to the Chinese nation, said :-
No, Sir. The proposed agreement with the Chinese Government relates only to the surrender of extra-territorial rights in Chinas territory. answer to a further question whether a good impression would not be created we renounced our position in Hong Kong, Hr. Law replied :—
"That is another problem which has nothing to do with the declaration made in Washington and London the other day."
nuary 1943
In reply to a further question whether Hong Kong's status as a Crowe lony had been altered by the agreement between His Majesty's Government and B Republic of China, the Secretary of State for the Colonies replied that it .d not.
A November, 1944
Mr. Attlee, replying as Lord President of the Council to a question by r. Astor whether Hong Kong or any other part of the Empire was eteltkled from r. Churchill's declaration that it was not proposed to liquidate the British mpire, said :----
"No part of the British Empire or Commnawealth of Nations was alth of Nations was excluded from the scope of the declaration referred to.” Mr. Astor went on to ask whether all encouragement would now be given to ritish firms to prepare plans for re-establishing themselves in Hong Kong Bad itting on with Brilish export trade in that area.
Mr. Attlee replied:
14
That is obviously so."
rd May, 1945
·
29
In a letter from the Colonial Ofice, the terms of which were agrood with the oreign Office and which was sent in reply to a request from the China Associa jon for a reassurance of His Majesty's Government's intention to retain Hor Long, it was painted out that the reply given by the Forsion Sveretary in answer o a question in the House of Commons on elb Karch, to the allocs that the statUS f British Colonies would not be altered without consultation with such Opigales nd the sanction of the House, included Hong Kong. The letter went on to dran ttention to Mr. Attlee's reply to Mr. Astor on Bia November, 1944 (aboro), and oncluded with a reference to a statement made by Mr. Churchill to the effect hat matters affecting British Colonial territory were not to be discussed at the San Francisco Conférence or at any other meeting in connexion with that Conference.
10th August, 1945
Mr. Bevis, in the course of his first speech to the House as Foreign Secretary after referring to the circumvalances in which Hong Kong was lost, said :-----
to rege
"We have now takerfony still
forces in Hong Kong There still the
the Japane HP they will be over
come, and I am sure that in agreement with our Chinses and American Allie. our territory will be returned to us."
·
207
Mrd August, 1945
Arising out of Mr. Borin's statement, Mr. Attles, as Prime Minister, in reply to an arranged private notics question by Mr. Churchill whether His Majesty's Government were taking action to restore British administration in Bong Kong As soon as they ranaived the Japanese surrender in the Colony, said :-
Ben, Sir. As stated by the Foreign Secretary on Monday, aranganents are being made for the Japanese currender in Hong Kong to be counted by a British Force Commander. Plans for re-establishing British administra tion in the Colony are fully prepared.“
· Mr. Churchill then went on to ask :--
+
age
While expressing gratification at the answer of the Prime Minister, may I presume that my fight Honourable friend recalls that on numerous mansions, and particularly at the Cairo Conference in 1943, His Majesty's Government had made it plain that they do aut contemplate any medification in the sovereignty of His Majesty's territories in the Far East!"*
The Prime Minister replied :---
**
3
"Yes, Sit. I have a very full recollection of theer statements and I will bear them in mind."
The Secretary of State for the Coloris (dr. Hall) in reply to a question by Air Commodore Harvey whether he was in a position to make a statement concerning the future of the New Territories in Hong Kong, replied: "No, Sir,
19th Notember, 1f48
The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Me, Hath), in reply to a question is by Mr. Callaghan as to His Majesty's Government's intention regarding the future administration of Hong Kong, said :—
A Military Administration has been established in Hong Kong under the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Haromus, and the Chief Civil Affairs Officer, and many of his staff are experienced cücers of the pre-war civäl administration. As soon as conditions in the region permit, it is Hi Majesty's Government's intention to restore full civil guvernameĖ.**
7th July, 1048
In reply to Mr. W. Fletcher, who asked if, in view of the change of anval base from Hong Kong to Singapore, an assurance could be given that no changeə was contamplated in the status of Hong Kay as a Crown Colony, the Parliamen. tary Under-Secretary of State for the Coloniis (Mr. Bee-Fillijuma) mid :—
“Yes. I would like to add also that there will be no change in the character of Hong Kong as a naval kase; as has been recently announeed in the pram, Hong Kong will remain the operational and training base of the Fleet in the Far East."
10:1 December, 1948
Mying
Replying to smrvations by Mr. Charoill, the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Formiga Afairs (Mr. Hapire) said in the House of Commons:***
4.4
The Right Honourable Gentleman this morning raised weeral ques tions outside Europe, one of them Hong Kong, in which he asked for a state- ment of the policy of His Majatty's Governest. I think there ir jo need to make any formal or long statement. I wisely state that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to maintain their position in Hong Kong. We entirely appreciate the importaker of Hong Kong as described by the Right Honourable Gentleman." Indeed, we feel that in this particularly troubled situation the value and importance of Hong Kong as bentre of stabilit will be greater than ever.
Brd February, 1949
The First Lend of the Admiralty (Lord Hall) reiterated in a debate in the House of Lards the statement made by Mr. Mayhew on 10th December, 1948.
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23rd August, 1845
207
Arising but gf MS Brek échtmannt, Mr. Auka ge Frid niiniener, in reply
Rugf Booth 6 Cauz 20 an arranged private notios question by Mfr. Churchill whether His Majesty's Government were taking cation to restore British administration in Hong Kong as soon as they received Ubs Japanese surrenter in the Colony, said :---
"Yes, Sir. As stated by the Foreign Secretary on Monday, arrangements are being made for the Japansen aurrender in Hong Kong to be accepted by a British Force Commander. Plans for re-matchliding British administra tion in the Colony are fully prepared."
- Mr. Churobilt then treat on to pák :---
"While expressing gratification at the answer of the Prime Minister, may I presume that my Right Honourabls friend repells that on numerous occasions, and particularly at the Cairo Conference in 1943, His Majesty's Government had made it plain that they do not contemplate any modification in the sovereignty of His Majesty's territories in the Far East?"
The Prime Minister replied :
"Yes, Sir. I have a very full recollection of those statements and I will bear them in mind."
་
The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Hall) in reply to a question by Air Commodore Harvey whether he was in a position to make a statement concerning the future of the New Territories in Hong Kong, replied: " No, Sir.'
19th November, 1945
The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Hall), in reply to a question by Mr. Callaghan as to His Majesty's Government's intention regarding the future administration of Hong Kong, said :-
"A Military Administration has been established in Hong Kong under the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Harcourt, and the Chief Civil Affairs Officer, and many of his staff are experienced officers of the pre-war civil administration. As soon as conditions in the region permit, it is His Majesty's Government's intention to restore full civil government.
7th July, 1948
In reply to Mr. W. Pletcher, who asked if, in view of the change of naval base from Hong Kong to Singapore, an assurance could be given that no change was contemplated in the status of Hong Kong as a Crown Colony, the Parliamen tary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Reer-Williams) said :-
"Yes. I would like to add also that there will be no change in the character of Hong Kong as a naval base; as has been recently announced in the press, Hong Kong will remain the operational and training base of the Fleet in the Far East."
10th December, 1948
Replying to observations by
Replying to observations by Mr. Churchill, the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew) said in the House of Commons:-
(2
The Right Honourable Gentleman this morning raised several ques- tions outside Europe, one of them Hong Kong, in which he asked for a state- ment of the policy of His Majesty's Government. I think there is no need to make any formal or long statement.. I will merely state that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to maintain their position in Hong Kong. We entirely appreciate the importance of Hong Kong as described by the Right Honourable Gentleman. Indeed, we feel that in this particularly troubled situation the value and importance of Hong Kong as a centre of stability will be greater than ever."
3rd February 1948439.0f,662
Page 439.of 662 The First Lord of the Admiralty (Lord Hall) reiterated in a debate in the House of Lords the statement made by Mr. Mayhew on 10th December, 1948.
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5th May, 1949
said:
10
In a Rege 44 Enføthe House of modo e MaRister of Defence
• a •
"I come now to a matter of great importance and that is the special problem of Hong Kong. While, as I have made clear, we have scrupulously endeavoured to avoid being involved in the war on the Chinese mainland, we are no less resolute in our attitude as regards territory for which we hold a direct responsibility."
He then went on to announce His Majesty's Government's decision to reinforce the garrison of Hong Kong,
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