Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 61 Part 3.djvu/443

 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [61 STAT. February 29 and March 28, 1944 IT. I.A. S. 10021 Agreement between the United States of America and the United King- dom respecting claims for damages resultingfrom acts of armed forces personnel. Effected by exchange of notes signed at London February 29 and March 28, 194; effective March 28, 1944. The BritishSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the American Ambassador FoREIGa OrFFCE, S.W .1. No. W 3151/150/64. £9th February, 1944. YOUR ExOECFiNLECY Cmelams against I have the honour to refer to Your Excellency's note No. 3295 [1] of members of U. S. or8s n the United the 19th January concerning the question of civil claims arising in tort against members of the United States forces in the United Kingdom. 2. As you are aware, His Majesty's Government have been reluctant to accept responsibility for these claims since to do so would involve payment by the British public of compensation for damage or injury sustained by the British public through the tortious acts of United Service personnel and might therefore seem undesirable on political grounds. They had therefore hoped that the arrangements previously made with His Majesty's Treasury Solicitor for the settlement of this matter could be maintained. They are, however, glad to note that the United States Government recognise that certain of the claims in question raise political issues and that the proposals now put forward are subject to the reserve that His Majesty's Government are not to be required to assume responsibility for claims which they regard as politically objectionable. In the light of this and recognising that the United States Government regard claims against the personnel of the armed forces of the United States in the line of duty to be part of the normal expenses of the United States forces, His Majesty's Government are prepared to undertake certain responsibilities for the settlement of these claims on behalf of the United States Government as a reciprocal aid service. They assume that the United States Gov- ernment for their part will be willing to make similar arrangements for the settlement of civil claims of like nature arising against mem- bers of His Majesty's Forces in the United States in the course of their duties. His Majesty's Government are, in the circumstances, able to assume these responsibilities only within certain limitations and con- " P. 2a2. ditions which are summarised in an Annex attached to this Note. An explanation of the more important of these will be given hereunder. 3. In the first place, His Majesty's Government find it necessary for administrative reasons to distinguish between claims which are now outstanding and claims which may arise in future. Your Excellency [Not printed.] 2728.

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