File No. 600.119/1354
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.49 p.m.]
2013. My 1354, August 24, 1 p.m. Following note received from the Foreign Office in reply to representations made in accordance with your 1113, August 31, 3 p.m.: [Page 622]
In reply to your inquiry, I have the honor to state that the Royal Dutch Shell group is not in any way controlled by His Majesty’s Government. The recent purchase of Royal Dutch shares by His Majesty’s Treasury, which has doubtless given rise to the suggestions that His Majesty’s Government had acquired control of the group, was effected solely for exchange purposes, and the shares are being disposed of from time to time as circumstances require.
I have the honor to add that His Majesty’s Government entirely concur in the proposal that the United States Government should deal direct with them on questions affecting the Royal Dutch Shell group, and I understand that this procedure has actually been in force for some time past.