61 STAT.] UNITED KINGDOM-CLAIMS- Feb. 29 1944 272 Mar. 28, 1944 2729 will appreciate that the British Claims Commission is already occu- pied with the settlement and payment of claims brought against mem- bers of His Majesty's Forces and that to take over a large accumulation of similar claims against members of the United States Forces would not only seriously interfere with the present work of the Commission but would also delay still further the settlement of claims against members of the United States Forces. Although, therefore, His Maj- esty's Government desire to render the fullest possible assistance to the United States authorities in this matter they have reluctantly decided that they can assume responsibility for the settlement on be- half of the United States Government of certain classes of claims against personnel of the United States armed forces only if such claims arise out of incidents occurring on or after the 20th March, 1944. These claims will be additional to claims arising from training ma- noeuvres of the United States Forces and from certain damage result- ing from the operation of United States aircraft for which His Maj- esty's Government have already undertaken such a responsibility. His Majesty's Government are prepared to undertake the payment but not, for the reasons given above, the examination and settlement of certain claims which are now outstanding. Their proposals for the rapid settlement of these outstanding claims are set out in paragraph 12 of this Note. Po, p. 2731. 4. It will be convenient if I first make certain observations about claims arising out of incidents occurring on or after the 20th March 1944. As I have indicated, His Majesty's Government would wish to reserve the right to refuse consideration of any claim where there are in their opinion good political reasons for doing so. Further- more, His Majesty's Government feel it to be essential that they should have complete discretion and liberty of action in the means adopted for dealing with any claim to which the proposed arrangements would apply. The departments of His Majesty's Government, who would be charged with the settlement of such claims, are now responsible for the settlement of claims brought against members of His Majesty's Forces and it will clearly be necessary for them to settle claims against members of both forces as far as possible upon the same principles, within the same limitations, and by the same methods. His Majesty's Government can for this reason only assume responsibility for the settlement of such claims against members of the United States Forces in the course of their military duties in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland if these claims arise from (a) traffic accidents (b) accidental shootings (c) accidental explosions (d) loss of, or damage to, chattels in requisitioned premises occupied by United States Forces under arrangements made by His Majesty's Government Departments. (e) certain other incidents (e.g. practice gunfire, fires in billets, etc.) where they would in certain circumstances accept claims had members of His Majesty's Forces been involved.
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