TELEGRAM/*
To:--
Draft Pronty Sampan
File No.
*SAVINGRAM
29
* The word Priority may be entered here, if necessary.
54126/6/50
*
Governor,
Hong Kong.
Mr.
Palmer
Mr..
Hall
5/4 atonce.
Repeated to:-
5 APR
D.
Mr.....
Mr.
Sir
Permt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
S. of S.
Priority:-
Nil.
Rapdxmgentlyxxen poxanck
Sent.
To be transmitted :-
No.
Cypher
hours.
194...
Qoofixbeticalx
Secret.
XXXXXXXX
1
Distribution:-
(6)
/ (5)
(83) 1948
Copy for file 54126/13/50
R.Marris (Treasury)
KJD6/4/50.
My telegram No.409.
Item 1 (a) (i) "Denials".
In my despatch No.15 I expressed the view that
legal liability exists against Government only where
it can be established under Hong Kong Defence
(Compensation) Regulations, and even then practical
difficulty may arise in proving such claims; and
there would be no justification for any ex-gratia
compensation where legal liability cannot be proved.
2. In Allen's report referred to in your despatch
No.31 of 12th August, 1948, requisitioned vessels
are shown in Section A of Schedule 1 and the net
legal liability i.e. after allowing for vessels
subsequently recovered is estimated at about $13
millions to which must be added interest to 31st March,
1950, say $4 millions. It seems therefore that
Government liability should not exceed $18 millions.
•
It appears from para.3 (a) of Allen's report that legal
liability of Hong Kong Government in these cases is not
(repeat not) open to doubt subject of course to proof
of amount actually payable on each claim.
In your telegram No.487 of 20th May, 1948 item (i)
gives $25 millions in respect of "requisitioned
Further action:--
(65) 1948
3.
Wt. 15855/746 5M 6-48 Wa. & Co. 51/3 Wt. 29377/790 50M 11-48 Wa & Co. 51/3.
material" /