30
-4-
against the Governments of India and Burma and for the Bank claim against this Government, as proposed in paragraph 6 ahove, it is possible that the commercial interests concerned might be persuaded to accept the disallowance of the "B" and "C" claims without giving too much publicity to their disappointment, as for example by means of a rather bitter debate in Legislative Council which would provide useful propaganda material for those elements which are hostile to the British Empire. I would not, however, he prepared to guarantee that a debate could be avoided. Any explanation that I make will be complicated by the fact that orders are unfortunately not evenly divided between "A" creditors and "B" and "C" creditors so that some concerns will be harder hit than others, and British firms in general will come off least happily. I should be able to point out that in repudiating "3" and "C" claims amounting to some £751,000, many of which have admittedly not even an equitable basis, "¿" claims have since the war already been met to the extent of £251,864 and that remaining claims of a similar nature would
he met to the extent of a further £300,591..
91., X
12.
If no settlement is reached in the meantime, the question of these claims is certain to be raised in the course of the debate on the forthcoming budget. I, therefore, regard it as a matter of importance that a settlement should,
if possible, be reached before that date and I shall be grateful if this point of view may be placed before the Ministry of Supply.
I have the honour to be,
Your most
Sir,
obedient, humble servant,
Mhanamt
GOVERNOR.
It's Balance agame mis
of e.Cann
285
213, 171-
97
bind b of 13
"
Enclosure.
6.595
220 034
16
#
JFK. Both
50 559 [300591 16:10
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