CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948 — Page 69

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doubt has recently been cast by G.H.Q. Far East, whether the figure of 1150,000, odd, is indeed the whole amount of the costs atributable to the Chinese occupation. We are, of course, seeking more details.

With regard to the Chinese claim for requisitioned rå lay materials in Hong Kong in 1941, I am attaching a statement showing

the bras-down of the claims and our reasons for re-assessing the total at 1185,847. You will note that there is a chance of this figure being slightly increased if' vouchers No. 005 can be substantiated by

the Chinesa.

We are quite prepared to sce the clains in which we have interests merged in a general settlement. We agree that a settlement would better be one of outstanding inter-Governmental debts rather than one confined to claius for railway imterials only, sons of which may not be Governmental claims at all.

This claim of £942,447 does not, I hope, concern the War Offico; at least we have received nothing in the way of a formal clain or seen any details to suggest we are involved.

Yours sincerely,

(S¿d) A. Luscott.