1
Ws. Kesurch
Mr.Wallace
Mr.Dawson
21.
192
It has been ruled on the previous file that this pittor subject should now be dealt with in Finance Department in the first case although previously it had been dealt with in the Commercial Relations Department. This will mean that I shall have to acquaint myself with all the details of the past history. Unfortunately it is not a matter with which the Colonial Office can take final decision as any liability against H.M.G. is a matter with which the Ministry of Supply, and not the Colonial Office, will have to deal and the Colonial Office can at best only act as an advocate in support of the claims from the firms concerned.fin
dende that they should be ampported.
fact
we
I submit a draft sending an interim reply to No.1 on this file and promising a further official letter as soon as we are in a position to do so. I doubt whether in these circumstances the Secretary of State will wish to be troubled with the matter although Mr.Dawson will perhaps indicate whether he thinks this necessary or not. In order that I may be getting on with the action on the previous file I also submit a draft reply to the letter from the China Association of the 30th November, 1948 to which Mr.Keswick refers at X of his letter at No.1 on this file.
I wrean
2 H. J. Keswick
267,
Lethemer
25th January,1949.
27-1-49.
3 China Assoen
Mr Rainer
FA
4.
31.1.49
dray (Lates) to Min Supply (Roughey)-21185)
"I's. c. .R.O. (Brown) to brzy (Meling)
261-49