CO129-607-4 Repatriation of exinternees- financial responsibility for passages 2-2-1949 - 29-12-1949 — Page 7

This has necessitated the redrafting of

Major Darby's draft. The background to this question is given in his minute of the 20th September.

(Sgd.) A. G. T. Chaplin

12/12

(Intld.) H. T. B. 27/2

Aft.on 55413/481. for.

..55081/258 2.

tel. 129 Sar

2-2-49

161

9-2-49

3.

you.

tel.264 Sar (Ref.182)

4-4-49.

4. My Ipt.

2-5-49

This file has been held up in the Department since April because of the pressure of other work.

While having little sympathy in principle with the view that the over-burdened British tax- payer should pay for the passages of ex-internees from Hong Kong especially in view of the spectacular recovery made in that Colony, there is I think some substance in he argument put forward in paragraphs (2) and (3) of the savingram at (3). This is that no vela uistinction can be drawn between passengers carried direct to the United Kingdom and those transhipped at an intermediate port, though the controlling factor was the availability of transport rather than "the convenience of the Ministry of Transport"

"

This argument however, is one which applies eqully to those internees ho were transported from Malaya and before considering Hong Kong's representations furthur we shoula know whether the Governments of the Federation and Singapore have accepted the responsibilities urged on them in para 5 of (1). Perhaps Mr. Chaplin would kindly say.

Mno Telles

le

21st June, 1.49

? formen posision in regard

Melaya.

Ma

11/6/49.

to

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