TNA ADM 199 792

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forbidden to enter into any discussions on this subject
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1th the Dutch or Belgian authorities.
The Home Office only comes into the matter because
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we have been saked to take the initiative In consulting
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with the other Departments concerned with preparing plans
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for the reception of refugees in the United Kingdom, but
it seems to me that I ought to bring this matter of
consultation with the Dutch and Belgian authorities to
your notice, and to ask that the Foreign Office, in
consultation with the Admiralty will settle what is to
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be done about warning the Dutch and Belgian authorities.
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If there 1a to be any consultation with the Dutch and
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Belgian authorities, it would also be very desirable to
give some indication of the numbers of refugees whom we
could receive. For example, the Scottish Office say
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that they could not contemplate the landing of more than
100,000 refugees in the Clyde district even on the
assumption that it is only necessary to put them up for
two or three days until they can be dispersed to other
places.
It would be a great help to us to know as soon as
possible whether any consultation is to take place with
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being had for their safety and health during a 3 to 4 days winter
voyage.
This estimate is offered with the greatest reserve, and
should be subject to improvement in the light of fuller
information.
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