い
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(c) The third point is that Colonial Governments should be informed that so far at has only proved possible to analyse a part of the Ministry's____ claims. Should the Ministry be able to furhish further particulars it is probable that further claims will be raised against Colonial Governments.
8. This is, I fear, a lengthy minute but I thought it necessary to put forward the whole case as fully as possible.
(Sgd.) C.E.R.Darby
20th September.
I am indebted to Major Darby for his very useful minute and I am glad to see that we can now start towards clearing up this outstanding matter.
I agree generally with the action he proposes which for ease of reference I summarise below. As regards paragraph 7 of the minute
(a) (i) I agree that question of recovery should be left to local Governments, but I think we should mention the point to them at any rate to the Malayan and Borneo Governments.
(b) We must make it clear that H. M.G. cannot escape the liability for onward passages.
(a) (i) It will be for H. K. Department to consider whether the same terms should apply to the 1940 evacuation as are to be applied in the 1945 evacuation.
Action proposed is
55081/258/48
(1) Send claims enclosed with (10)to various Colonies with comments as above, and ask if they will authorise payment.
(2) Send copy of lists enclosed with (43) on 55081/25B/47 to Foreign Office saying that we have only been able to accept liability for £16,481. The lists should show clealy what we have accepted. Letter should ask Foreign office to look into lists.
(3) A new schedule should be prepared showing what is balance left from (57) after deducting the items we have accepted. This should go to Ministry of Transport and Foreign Office.
(Sgd.) A.G.T.Chaplin.
27/9.
I have not been able under present pressure of work to read all the attached papers but I agree with course proposed in Major Darby's full minute and I do not see why Hong Kong should be differently treated from the other colonies concerned, nor should the 1940 evacuation scheme be used as precedent for the
1945