60
9.
mot from Imperial funds on the Crounds that the Colony's own resources during the occupation period did not suffice to moct the sc commitments (paragraph 18).
As regards compensation in respect of land added to the runways at Kai Tak acrodrome by the Japanese, it is submitted that some percentage of this heavy compensation commitment, amounting to somo $5,000,000, should be met from Imperial funds as, if there had boon no war and this land had been resumed by the Colonial Government, as would have been necessary to meet the needs of modern aircraft, some grant would have been forth- coming from the Air Ministry in recognition of the fact that the aerodrome is extensively used by scrvice aircraft (paragraph 19).
10. No contribution to be made by
Hong Kong Government towards cost of Military Administration (paragraph 32).
11. The above assumos that the
rocommendation of the Hong Kong Government that no compensation should be paid to individual claimants in rospect of war damaco compensation is approved
as the Colony is not in a
position to moot any liability
in this connection (paragraph 10).
[see 60. letter to
Treas
Jan 1948-54422
1,250
372 $0
The effect of a settlement on the above lines would, broadly speaking, bc that His Majesty's Government would be waiving claims for refunds of advances and war cxpenditure incurred on behalf of Hong Kong, amounting to some £4,400,000, and there would be a not amount due to the Colony of perhaps £1,500,000. His Majesty's Government would also be accepting liability for certain other classes of potential war claims. It is hoped that the number of successful claims of this category would only amount to a trivial sum, but if the view of the Government's legal advisors is not upheld, the liability might excood £500,000.
~
£
£ 1 500 000
sve des
64v
}
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