With reference to your minute of the 21st ultimo (No. S.77)¹ regarding the proposed dates for the transfer of the harbour defences at Berehaven and Lough Swilly, I have now been informed, semi-officially, by the Dominions Office that the proposed dates, viz. the first and the third week in October respectively will be acceptable to the authorities concerned, subject to confirmation.

It is felt, however, that the dates proposed for the preliminary visits (viz. 9th and 16th August) give rise to a little difficulty, since the authorities concerned wish to make sure that the lists of equipment, stores, etc. are fully considered here before the administrative conference takes place, and they are not satisfied that sufficient time would be available for this purpose unless the preliminary visits are postponed until (say) the 23rd August and 6th September respectively. If these dates are adopted, the administrative conferences could take place 14 days thereafter and there would still be a month available before the final transfer, in which to clear up outstanding points.

The Dominions Office have promised to write again as soon as it is possible to make a definite proposal for the dates of the various meetings, and these suggestions are made so that you may have preliminary notice of what the authorities here have in mind.