FO371-23518 — Page 21

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Registry Number

1939

12048/3139/10

FROM War Office.

No.083/6153(M.0.2.)

Dated 21 Nov. 1939.

Received

in Registry 22 Nov.1939.

22

F: China.

F

CHINA

F 12048 222

22 NOV 1939

Question of retention or disposal of land and barracks used by the British Army at Tientsin.

Requests views of Foreign Office in question of retention or disposal of land and barracks which will become surplus at Tientsin after withdrawal of infantry battalion. Barracks have been seriously damaged by floods, and only those required for new garrison will be repaired. Barracks are situated in area of city where property was once valuable but with exception of some married quarters they are together in one compound and difficulties would arise in disposal of surplus buildings.

Last Paper.

F 9905

References.

(Print.)

(How disposed of.)

we.

(Action completed.)

Maqtals

Deeq

(Minutes)

The barracks are situated in the “Extra - mural extension "area & the British

Concession, and are

on land held on

· presumably situated perpetual lease under properly registered deeds. Land in the British Concession must have gone de catastrophically in value since

this

down

early 1 year but that is a matter for loo. totake into consideration, and I

we have no

imagine objection to the WD endeavour- -ing to dispose of part of their land, except to Provisional Gost organs: it would be

e for the purchaser to accept the risk that any deeds he obtained from the local land authorit, might afterwards be repudiated by the Chinese Goor. Before (typlex.) expressing a definite pinion, however,

it might be as well to Enquire of the W.D. semi-fficially as to the conditions

which the land is held, and

Next Paper.

F12216

4

on

18560 2/39 F.O.P

thereafter

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