845.24/561: Telegram
The Officer in Charge at New Delhi (Merrell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:30 p.m.]
816. Screening of imports discussed further by Lane and Ecker. Reference Mission’s 813, November 1, and Department’s 365, August 11. They agree that Government India has not provided adequate record of use of Lend-Lease imports and that record of use of indigenous materials of kind thus imported is inadequate. Also that situation requires emphasis that United States is partner not merely supplier and must therefore have more basic information and participation in planning stage before indents are prepared.
Ecker has expressed this view to Waugh Secretary Supply Department who undertook to convey to others concerned.48
- Upon his return to Washington in December, Mr. Ecker told the Department that, despite the reluctance of the British and Government of India authorities to adhere to such an arrangement, there had been formed a tripartite committee which would make it possible for the American lend-lease representative in India to get a clearer view of the problems of India’s import requirements.↩