CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 200

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MINUTES.

MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN

ON THIS SIDE.

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-

The Secretary,

War Office

London, S.W.

Ji

and the following number quoted.

10/3231

(F.1)

197

48649

War Office,

London, S.W. 28 September, 1921.

.10/2982 (F.1

of 2:3:20.

43494/200

Eof 17;9:20.

1/250/20

E.desp.G.N.Hong Kong

Eof 17:7:20.

.10/3231 (W.F.

Eof 10.2.21.

65571

Mo 33918 21.

Sir,

I am commanded by the Army Council to advert to the correspondence noted in the margin relative to the Military Contribution by the Colony of Hong Kong for the financial years 1917-18 and 1918-19.

2.

In consequence of the receipt from the Colony of a balance of contribution in respect of the Calendar Year 1919 in excess of the balance included in the original statement, the contribution in respect of the financial year 1918-19 now exceede the cost of the garrison by £96,649.13.9., and the total overpayment for the two years is now £114,317. 18. 9. instead of £102,025. 4. 6. as stated in War Office letter of 2nd March, 1920.

Revised statements marked E and F. in substitution of those marked C and D sent with that War Office letter are eno losed.

3.

As the Colonial Office are aware, the question of the refund of the overpayment is affected by proposals which have been submitted by the Colony for the re-arrangement of sites in military occupation. In view of the proposals made in War Office letter to the veneral Officer Command ing the Forces in Chine, No.Hong Kong 8/311 (F.W.3) of the 30th June, 1921, a copy of which has been sent to you, and in view of the Governor's letter of 17th July 1920 referred to above, I am to ask that you will be good enough to ascertain whether the Legislative Council of the Colony propose to waive the refund of the overpayment of

114,317. 18. 9.

4. As regards the financial year 1919-20, I an to send you the enclosed statements (marked A and B) snowing the cost of the garrison and the amount of the Military Contribution in respect of that financial year, It will be seen that the cost of the garrison exceeded the contribution by 2254,471. 18. 9. It is considered that this excess, which falls upon the Imperial Goverment, should be before the Legislative Council when the question of the refugã for the previous years 18 considered,

Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

S.#.1.

I

5.21 WESLE