CO129-629-14 Financial Transactions — Page 2

Camden No.5 $1945 (1) on 19222/12/15

Copy

enclosed in

1. Lt. Col. D. A. Price White (M.P.)

Mr Hall

Mr Howard-Drake

13-1-50

2

9

I attach a

draft letter to Lt. Col. Price White for Mr Rees Williams' signature. It has, I fear, been somewhat delayed in an attempt to find the present state of affairs regarding the H.K. Government Order referred to in the letter. According to Legal Library (in Nowington), the Order lapsed when not specifically continued by a proclamation issued on 1st April 1946; the proclamation, however, continued certain specified defence regulations and all Orders made under them, but did not specify the Orders. As the defence regulation under which G.N. No. 5 is made is not specified in the Order (see copy in (1) on 19222/12/45), it seems to me difficult to say with certainty, without legal advice, whether the Order was continued or not. I understand that it is a rule of the Office not to give legal advice to members of the public (and for this purpose, I imagine that an M.P. should be considered a member of the public), and in the circumstances, I suggest that we leave it in the draft.