CO129-622-6 Claims of War Supplies to Eastern Group Supply Council 21-1-1949 - 23-12-1949 — Page 53

54460/49

IF 4/09

Dear Atherton,

COLONIAL OFFICE,

THE CHURCH HOUSE,

GREAT SMITH STREET,

S. W. 1

22 April, 1949.

52

4

I understand that Palmer spoke to you about your letter to Brown of the 8th March regarding stores ordered by the Eastern Group Supply Council from the Hong Kong War Supplies Board and delivered to the Government of India. I enclose a copy of a telegram which was sent to Hong Kong after Palmer had spoken to you. You will see that we have suggested that Hong Kong should write to the Government of India again as regards a settlement, but that if this should prove unsuccessful we will ask the Commonwealth Relations Office if they will approach the Government of India on the matter.

2.

The Ministry of Supply has already paid £150,000 to the Crown Agents for credit to the Hong Kong Government, on account of supplies referred to at 1A of the Statement enclosed with Boughey's letter to McEwing of the 14th of December, 1948.

3.

There is however a similar Hong Kong Government claim, which is not referred to in Boughey's letter, for stores supplied to the Government of Burma. I enclose a copy of the relevant statement which we received from Hong Kong. The amount involved (£6,575) is not

large

D.J. ATHERTON, ESC.,

TREASURY