CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 266

Tel. No.-Vict. 9400.

ther communication on this abould be addressed to:-- Under-Secretary of State,

The War Office,

London, B. W. I, following number quoted.

3493 (F.1.)

Sir,

MASTIONA

SCHEM

REC

THE WAR OFFICE,

6051

RE: 9 FEB 25

LONDON, S.W.1.

February, 1925,

258

I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that they understand that an offer nas recently been made by the Governor of ong-Kong, and accepted on behalf of His Majesty's Government, to make a contribution, towards the cost of enlargement of the Singapore Base, of 1250,000, representing the profits resulting to the Colonial Government from its Shipping Control Operations between 1917 and 1919. It is understood that until now this large sum has been held in suspense in the accounts of the Colony pending a decision as to its disposal, and that it has been left out of account in the statements of the total Colonial revenue and of the amount of this revenue assessable to military contribution furnished to this office either through your Department or (latterly) by the Colonial Treasurer to the Command Paymaster direct.

The cave raises two points of general importance, In the first place the question arises in what year receipts which, for one reason or another, may be held in suspense and not brought into the accounts of the year are to be treated as r venue for the purposes of military contribution. The Council would be glad of the views of your Department on this matter.

In the second place the Council feel that there should be a definite understanding that, when the Colonies put forward their official statements of total revenue and of the portion assessable for military contribution, explicit reference should be made to any considerable sums held in suspense, and the reason furnished why they are not being brought to account. I am to express tae nope that the Fer-seorstary of State,

/ Secretary

olonial Office,

S.W.1.