FROM
53524/151/60
COPY FOR REGISTRATION
TELEGRAM O.A.G.
D. 26th November, 1940
4t
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS
R. 26th
23.35 hrs.
(2)
52006/40
(4) IMS
in are
No. 904. S.S. PRIVATE.
David Eckford serving life sentence for murder committed in Shanghai now lodged in convict prison at Singapore awaiting transport to England under Article No. 70 China Order in Council 1925. Foreign Office telegram No. 47 addressed to Shanghai refers, Local Government unable to make special escort arrangements for contimance of journey to England. Suggestion that Eckford travels under the same escort to be provided for Loveday see my telegram G.H. Secret No. 335 is not entertained by War Office on grounds that responsibility is on Governor under Colonial Prisoners Removal Act.
I should be grateful if you could ohtain co-operation of the War Office to use Loveday escort in due course. Highly undesirable to retain Eckford in tropical prison for a long period and during the war provision of civil escort impossible. Colonial Government offers to share cost of escort.
Received
in Registry
NOV 1940