In any further communication on this subject, please quote
No. F 1146/160/10.
and address
not to any person by name,
but to-
"The Under-Secretary of State,"
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
14200
FOREIGN OFFICE.
-6....R1933
S.V.1.
4th March, 1933.
(12)
Sir,
I am directed by Secretary Sir John Simon to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter No.13702/33 of the
17th February, requesting his observations on a despatch
from the Governor of Hongkong regarding the re-shipment to
China of an aeroplane which has been sent back to this
country for repairs.
2.
In Sir John Simon's opinion, the question whether
the usual Chinese import permit is necessary in this case
is one for the Chinese Government to decide. It would
appear that the proper course would be for Messrs. Armstrong-
Whitworth Aircraft Limited to approach the Chinese Minister
in London on the subject, and Sir John Simon understands
that they have already been advised to do this by the Board
of Trade. In the event of their having difficulty in
obtaining the necessary document from the Chinese Minister
authorising the re-importation of the aeroplane into China,
it should be possible for the Far East Aviation Company to
move the Chinese Government to send him the necessary
instructions.
3.
In conclusion, I am to add that, in Sir John Simon's
opinion, the work carried out on the aeroplane may
reasonably be regarded as being in execution of a contract
made prior to the 27th February and as therefore not
affected by the recent embargo.
(1) rely of less
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
banmaren