FO371-31667 — Page 4

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is of some importance. You could then tell Mr. Swire that the matters in question are for the Branch and not for us and that Mr. X there would be happy to see him, though you think that as regards some of the questions it would only be possible to say that he must consult his own lawyers. I assume that the Branch have all the relevant information about the position in China including Hong Kong which you have, so that there would be no risk of Mr. Swire's being referred back by the Branch to this Department which it would no doubt be

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well to avoid, or he will begin talking about the Circumlocution Department.

JWM

6th February, 1942.

I have been trying to get hold of Mr. McCombe and succeeded in speaking to him this morning about this. His first reaction was simply to tell Mr. Swire that he must go to his own lawyers, but he eventually agreed to have the questions considered in his Branch and if possible to discuss them with Mr. Swire orally and without any responsibility. a draft reply to Mr. Swire.

I attach|

12th February, 1942.

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