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THE MAJORITY OF CLAIMS ARE PRESENTED INITIALLY TO DISTRICT
OFFICERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHO ADVISE CLAIMANTS OF THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED. ONLY IN COMPLEX CASES, AND ESPECIALLY IN THOSE DEALING WITH PERSONAL INJURY IS RECOURSE TO LITIGATION NECESSARY.
5. ALL CLAIMS WHETHER ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES
ADMINISTRATION OR MILITARY UNITS ARE PASSED TO THE AREA CLAIMS OFFICER OF THE CLAIMS COMMISSION, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, ATTACHED TO HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG.
THE AREA CLAIMS OFFICER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING EQUITABLE COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE, LOSS OR INJURY IN CASES WHERE RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ASSUMED. IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES WHICH DO NOT PRESENT EXCEPTIONAL DIFFICULTIES HE IS ABLE TO
ARRANGE PROMPT PAYMENT. WHERE RESPONSIBILITY IS DISPUTED OR
WHERE THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION IS COMPLEX THE AREA CLAIMS
CFFICER IS ASSISTED BY THE LOCAL AGENT OF H.B.M. TREASURY
SOLICITOR. WHERE THE COMPENSATION ASSESSED IS BEYOND HIS
DELEGATED FINANCIAL POWERS THE AREA CLAIMS OFFICER MUST OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT FROM THE CLAIMS COMMISSION,
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.
WE CONSIDER PRESENT PROCEDURES TO BE SATISFACTORY AS THEY
PROVIDE FOR PROPER EXAMINATION OF CLAIMS AND DO NOT RESULT IN
ANY UNNECESSARY DELAYS IN SETTLEMENT.
5. IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER THE HEUNG YEE KUK DELEGATION WILL VISIT LONDON THIS YEAR. IF THE VISIT DOES TAKE PLACE, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE MINISTER OF STATE SHOULD SEE THE DELEGATION
AS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
7. REGULAR DISCUSSIONS ARE HELD BETWEEN THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK ON ALL MATTERS RELATING
TO THE NEW TERRITORIES:
(A) THE MOST RECENT PETITION FROM THE KUK ON THE GENERAL QUESTION OF RATES WAS IN AUGUST 1974. AS A RESULT OF
DISCUSSIONS THE KUK NOW ACCEPTS THE PRINCIPLES OF RATING
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES:
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/ (B) IN APRIL