FO371-46257 — Page 199

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OUTWARD

TELEGRAM

This document must be paraphrased if the communication of its contents to any person outside Government Service is authorised.

Cypher

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TO HONG KONG (Commander-in-Chief)

FROM S. OF S., COLONIES.

Sent 19th October, 1945, 14.50 hrs. (10

Admiralty for onward

transmission)

Following for C.C.A.0.. from Colonial Office.

Chungking has telegraphed as follows:-

1.

"Many British subjects in China, who are not Hông Kong Government employees, will have difficulty in meeting heavy transportation expenses for themselves and their families back to China, Burma, Malaya, etc. Please inform me whether financial assistance should be given to such people. If it is decided to accord assistance, should British subjects of Chinese race be included? I should be grateful for a reply by telegraph as soon as possible,"

So far as Hong Kong: 13 concerned, it is proposed to reply that

(a) British subject evacueee: with home ties in Hong Kong, of whatever race, may be granted financial assistance tò return to Hong Kong in due coursa, provided there are no objections on individual grounds to their admission;

(b) Similar concession ray be made to other British subject evacuees from Hong Korg, subject to recommendation by local Committee to be set me in Hong Kong to consider applications. Such Committee would take into account opplinents' previous comections with Hong Kong, cônduct during war, uld ressons for wishing to return;

Copies sent to:-

/(0)

Treasury -

M. R.L.M. James.

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