MINUTE
SHEET.
M.8.8.
112
Mr. Knollys.
•
Although the suggestion put forward in Mr. Dixon's letter of the 26th instant,to the effect that the six months referred to in paragraph 5 of the Annex to Section III may run in each case from the establishment of the Local Clearing Office, is certainly well capable of argument. in my opinion, it would be dangerous to assume that this is the period to be adopted, and I consider that the only safe course is for every Local Clearing Office to require notice to be given to the Local Clearing Office by creditors of debts due to them within six months from the establishment of the Central Clearing Office, namely before the 12th July, 1920.
As pointed out by you in your letter of the 25th instant. in any case where, owing to lack of information or other reason, the creditor is unable to notify the precise amount of his debt, it would be considered sufficient for him to prefer a provisional claim which could be more fully substantiated later.
Whilst I agree with Mr. Dixon that certain of the references in the Annex to Section III must be taken as applicable to local Clearing Offices. I think clear that certain other references, such as for example those in para- graphe 11. 18, 13 and 14, are only applicable to the Central Clearing Office, and I think that it would be highly undesir- able to run any risk in the matter, even though there should be a good deal to be said for the other contention.
8.06
27.5.20.