CO129-621-12 War damage compensation 19-5-1949 - 7-10-1949 — Page 17

[456B) Wt. 32483/800 100m. 11/48 C.N.Ld. 748

For registration on sub-file of 54126/6/49.

54126/6/49.

0.

Mr.

Palmer

Wallace

Mr.

Botam

Mr.

16 15/6 p

Permt. U.S. of S.

Mr.....

Mr.

Parly. U.S. S.

Minister of State

Secretary of State .

Your Reference.........

Letti sent

최

DRAFT.

Sir Robert Ho Tung.

(Enclosures to (4) in original)

Dear Sir Robert,

(A)

(B)

FURTHER ACTION.

Copy, with copy of (A) and

(B) to Governor, Hong Kong

To H 452 for registration.

You wrote to Fitzgerald on the 19th May on the question of claims in respect of loss of vessels in Hong Kong, and

"N.P. 21

I informed you in reply that the documents had been forwarded to the Admiralty for the necessary action. afraid there has been some misunderstanding on our part

the matter and I

4 2, as I now

learn

I am

sorry if I have misled you in any way.

that the whole question of loss of

vessels has been the subject of considerable correspondence

hi Creach Jones with the Government of Hong Kong and that the Secretary of State hopes to send a despatch to the Governor in the near future dealing with all aspects of the question. Until the Governor receives that despatch, he may be in some doubt as to the exact procedure to be followed, and that is probably the reason why you have received no final answers to the communications which I see you sent to the Colonial Secretariat on 1st August, 1947 in each case.

3. The problems raised by these claims are, as you will realise proving exceedingly difficult to resolve, and the

Weal absence of a war risks insurance scheme prior to the war and of a war damage compensation scheme since the liberation of the Colony, increase the difficulties in finding a satisfactory solution.

I me It would be wrong, therefore, to hold out hope of an early decision on the claims. In any event the matter can only be dealt with

/in

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