FO371-24688 — Page 357

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THIS MARGIN.

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Minutes.

F 5193/177/10.

flag A (pink slip)

Slay B

SlagE

475

The action still required appears to be to ask Dr. Chen to call and tell him the position for the information of Dr. Quo.

As regards Mr. Sterndale Bennett's minute of 21st December, Dr. Quo spoke first to Mr. Butler on 23rd September (F 4410/43/10); he was then under the impression that all Chinese would be required to have passports and he expressed the hope that the free entry of Chinese to Hong Kong would continue. again on 7th October (F 4649/43/10) and the third time on 6th November (see Foreign Office telegram to Chungking No. 219 of 9th November in F 4882/177/10).

request

He spoke

After giving Dr. Chen the gist of the information in paragraph 2 of the memorandum in F5019/177/10 and explaining that the text of the Bill has been communicated with explanations to the Chinese Government by Sir A. Clark Kerr (Chungking telegram No. 248 of 4th December in F 5193/177/10/4), one might go on to state that the measure was published on 7th November and passed the Hong Kong Legislative Council without opposition on 29th November. The Chinese Ambassador's representations have been carefully considered, more especially his report that action might be suspended until Sir G. Northcote returned to Hong Kong, but in the interests of the defence of the colony H.M. Government have felt that the enforcement of the measure could not be indefinitely postponed, and it has accordingly been arranged that it will come into force on 15th January, 1941. Instructions have been given that the measures provided for in the new Bill will be sympathetically considered, and it is hoped that it will be found in practice that the difficulties anticipated by the Chinese authorities will not arise.

Au Scot

31st December, 1940.

NOTHING TO BE

WRITTEN

IN

Jagree

1.4.4. gege

даде

31/12

I will see Dr Chew if M: Sterndale

Bennett wishes

You

Aphely

I should be grateful if

unildt..

Jan 1

Clarke

34

See now F166

-768/98/10/1941

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