§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a letter from the Evacuation Representation Committee, Kowloon, Hong Kong, about the return of the women and children who were compulsorily evacuated from Hong Kong over a year ago and what steps he is taking in the matter?
§ Mr. George HallMy Noble Friend received the letter to which my hon. Friend refers from the late Governor of Hong Kong, and has sent a reply to it. Following is the text of the reply:
2068W"16th September, 1941.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir Geoffry Northcote's despatch No. 177 of the 12th August, forwarding a letter signed by the members of the Evacuation Representation Committee and asking for the removal of the ban on the return of the European British women and children who have been compulsorily evacuated from the Colony.
2. I have read the letter not only with feelings of sympathy but with a genuine understanding of the circumstances in which the members of the Committee and others who are bearing the hardship of separation are placed. They will for their part, I feel sure, be willing to recognise the responsibility which His Majesty's Government bear for the defence of the Colony with which British interests in the Far East are so closely involved. His Majesty's Government have weighed the many serious considerations which affect this problem, and I have kept under constant review the prospect of being able to advise the rescinding or modification of the decision reached last year. I regret that such a prospect is not yet in sight, and I have to ask that the signatories of the letter and those for whom they speak will have confidence that the separation from their families will not be maintained any longer than is made necessary by the uncertainty of the international situation in the Far East and the overriding demands of the defence of Hong Kong."