54447/2/49 H.K.
53/9 19
28th Larch, 1949.
Thank you for your letter rearuing British residents in Hong war damage losses.
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of the ru arch Kong who suffered
The position in regard to war damage losses in general in hon hong is set out in the enclosed state tent, issued by my epartment in prii last year. You will see from it tit
that the Hung con; GOVOFANGT recomended tant no payment. be made from sae Colony's /lous In Podpect wa' genero. BLY dange claims.
In these circumstances it would not be ußeible tor kis ujesty's Goverment to contemplate giving, assistance, in respect of war damage losɛes, to une particuler community residing in Fong Kong you inlow the rants already made by his Papesty's Coverament to the colony were for certain specific purposes and could not be ed for other purposes.
AS
in your letter you refer to persons stili residing in Jong KÜME. 1 Gympathise with them in their diffi ulties, but in the light of the above decision, I fear that it is not feasible for His
cjesty's overment to assist the .
u80105 146 oo far as people now not resident in the Colony are concerned, 1 should nowever mention, as an inçication that His Majesty Goverment has been able to assist in other directions, that there is in this country a scheme, acudinistered by the Boaru of irade, under which Laited. ingdom Britis. subjects who were in captivity in the fur vast are eligible for consideration for limited ex-gratia payments to enable them to purchase necessary furniture and household,ous. The rants are baseu ¿enerally on the free cover allowances maue under the United Lingoon Private Chattels cueme to those who suffered losses in this country. The gar acter. Solitle is com.ined to those who, on being repatriateu to this country after liberation, intend to remain hero permanently und set up & home in this country..
Viscount Hinchi bracke
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