7
11 From. K.J. Gabbett.
12.
RC
Griffiths
11/17/40 12/7/45
Mr. T. Davies
You have not seen (11) and (12) on this file in which the Foreign Office discourage the idea of an approach to U.N.R.R.A. while the Treasury apparently favour the idea on the basis that any assistance obtained from U. N. R. R. A. would be on repayment.
-
In his minute of the 13th July, Mr. Bennett refers to minutes in which I understand that it has been said that H. M. G. will not be a claimant on the Economic and Social Council of U.N.O. (which has recently been set up) for assistance, thus following our old policy in regard to U.N.R.R.A. Nevertheless, if, in fact, there is difficulty in obtaining supplies for Hong Kong which might be obtained from U.N.R.R.A. on repayment, it may be that the general policy that has been indicated, need not debar us from making an approach.
To my mind the whole matter turns on the question of su plies.
(a) Is Hong Kong unlikely to be able to acquire
the supplies in question from any other
(b)
source and
Is there any likelihood in fact that U.N.R.R.A. would agree to make such supplies available to Hong Kong? (It was in May that they said "they would be disposed to examine an application from H.M.G." and it may be that by now they would be less disposed to do so.)
25.7.46