HC Deb 20 October 1954 vol 531 cc1201-3
56. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the United States consular staff are now in Hong Kong; how these numbers compare with 1938; and the approximate number of United States residents served by them at these two dates.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Wilson

In view of the undoubted increase which these figures will show when published, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this horde of officials in Hong Kong is engaged in promoting American trade with China or in restricting British trade with China?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Consular Convention between Her Majesty's Government and the United States leaves it to each Government to decide how many officers they require. As to hordes of people, I personally thank God that there are hordes of Americans in the world.

Hon. Members

Oh.

Mr. Wilson

While it does not follow that these hordes should be in Hong Kong, will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Governor of Hong Kong—if he can get in touch with him—and ask him whether it is not a fact that the whole British trading community in Hong Kong believes that this American Consular staff is employed there for the sole purpose of spying on British trade?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I could not accept the remarks of the right hon. Gentleman, but on this, as on everything else, I am in continuous touch with the Governor.

Mr. Paget

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Hong Kong is one of the great achievements of this nation and that its tenure is pretty precarious at the moment? Will he at least be very careful to see that it is not used as an espionage centre by a Power hostile to China?

Following is the reply: On 9th October, 1954, there were 115 persons employed in the United States Consulate-General in Hong Kong, including one Consul General, nine Consuls and 20 Vice-Consuls. In 1938, there were one Consul General, two Consuls and two Vice-Consuls; the number of subordinate staff for 1938 is not available owing to the destruction of local records during the war. The number of resident United States nationals in Hong Kong on 9th October, 1954 was 1,262. Figures for 1938 are not available, but the census figures for 1931 and 1941 were 494 and 396, respectively.
60. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent United States officials in Hong Kong are concerned in the trade between Hong Kong and China; and to what extent United Kingdom officials refer to them applications by British nationals for licences to ship goods to China.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The administration of controls over exports from Hong Kong to China is the responsibility of the Hong Kong Government. I understand that they do not refer applications for licences to United States officials in Hong Kong except, occasionally, when goods of United States origin are involved.

Mr. Wilson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that members of the United States Consular Corps in Hong Kong are sending for British business men and warning them that if they do not stop particular trades with China, which are allowed by Her Majesty's Government, they will be blacklisted and will have their dollar assets frozen in the United States, and that attempts will be made to interfere with the trade of their customers and to keep them from trading?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My information is that there have undoubtedly been relaxations in American control of exports to Hong Kong because of this co-operation. If the right hon. Gentleman has any information to justify the very sweeping charges he is making against an ally, I should be very ready to receive it.

Mr. Wilson

The right hon. Gentleman has in no way answered my question. Is he aware that the Governor of Hong Kong, who, if I may say so, has battled very hard for the rights of the British trading interests in Hong Kong on this matter, has had all this information brought to him on a number of occasions, and has, I am informed, passed on that information to the right hon. Gentleman's Department which thoroughly justifies what I have said?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I could not accept that the ex parte statements made by the right hon. Gentleman are necessarily accurate, and if he can give me any further information that he may have I will readily inquire into it.