CO129-627-4 Argyle Street explosion- correspondence on claims and enquiries 1-6-1946 - 31-7-1951 — Page 20

NATIONAL

CHE

DISABLED

Please quote in any reply:

25/Damages/3430(F3A)

Your Ref: 54423/51

TEL. NO. GRO, 8040

EXTN

624

Further correspondence on this subject should be addressed to The Under-Secretary of State .........

F3A

THE WAR OFFICE,

LONDON,

REGISTRAR'S C

ດ

2001

0-1 190 8 June, 1951

S.W.1.

zo

Sir,

I am directed to refer to your letter of 1st June, 1951

(16) relating to claims arising from an explosion in Argyle Street,

Hong Kong on 2nd January, 1946, and to inform you that all relevant papers in the matter are now with the Deputy Command Secretary, Hong Kong, for the purpose of final investigation and settlement of the claims on an ex-gratia basis.

x1

Certain investigations and assessments, chiefly in connection with property damage, were made some time ago by the Claims Commission (who are no longer dealing with the matter since it has been decided that no legal liability rests upon the Department). The cases are being taken up by the Deputy Command Secretary, Hong Kong at the points reached by the Claims Commission but there are a number of outstanding items of claim to be investigated and assessed and it is for this reason that the relevant papers have been sent to the Department's financial representative in Hong Kong, who has been given authority to settle the claims without further reference to this Department.

Until his report on the conclusion of the matter has been received, which is not expected for some time, it is not possible to state what amounts will be paid to the various claimants.

I am Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Im Chatfield

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

The Church House,

Great Smith Street, S. W. 1.

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