CONFIDENTIAL
2
considerable claims to property which they had formerly owned in China. The meeting considered this possibility but thought that, while such claims would certainly not be acceptable to the Chinese, it would not be an acceptable proposition to try to bar any category of UK nationals from the registration.
5
After much discussion it was considered that, for the
purposes of the Order, a suitable material date for the holding of UK citizenship and the ownership of property in China might be 1 October 1949, when the establishment of the
People's Republic of China was proclaimed. It would also be necessary for applicants to prove UK citizenship at the time of registration of their claim.
6
Mr Underwood said he had spoken to Miss Baker at the Treasury, who considered that it would be advisable for HMG property claims to be registered by the FCC. (If, in fact, a different arrangement were to be arrived at with the Chinese concerning HMG property, the registration with FCC could simply be withdrawn.) Miss Baker thought that HMG's claim of £2.5 million (plus) for payment of pensions of the Shanghai Municipal Corporation might also be registered. Mr Whomersley undertook to make enquiries about the pensions with his
contacts at the ODA.
7
The length of time in which claimants should be given to register their claims was considered, a year being thought to be a reasonable period. Mr Fursland suggested however that in view of the need to present the Chinese with a comprehensive list of claims as quickly as possible, a time
limit of six months would be more desirable. It was agreed that it should be possible to have two time limits, (a) six months in which to submit the application, and (b) a further six months in which to produce any necessary documentary or other supporting evidence of the claim. We should then at least have a comprehensive list of applications after six
/months
CONFIDENTIAL
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