Saving.
54447/3/10.
From the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
To the Officer Administering the Government of
Date 23 November, 1948.
39 20
No....
233
SEKH T
Saving.
f.a (28)
(3/4-8)
Your telegram Bo.763 secret.
Soviet excels.
a che que has now gen received from the oscow Narodny Bauk for the sim of 3254:15:0 in payment of the charges for the maintenance of watchmen on board the "Simferopol" and "sviretrol" for the period 1/9/45 to 31/12/46. his is being forwarded to the Crown Agents for credit of their Hong Kong Government account.
2. I an advised that it is by no means clear that 3.27 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1.10 of 1899 gives the Hong Yong Goverment a right to dispose of the vessels without soviet agreement simply in order to re-imburse thene Ives for expenses incurred in maintaining watches on board. I do however chore your view that Soviet agreement should be sought to the sole of the vessels on the t rma proposed Bac ougall's lotior of the 25th Hay, 1948, to Didebotla and the Foreign Office are taking steps accordingly.
11