I hear today from Sir Eric Machtig that the Police authorities in London have received information as to the possibility of an attack by the I.R.A. on Sir John Maffey. They are well aware of and appreciate the steps already taken by us in order to guard against the possibility of such an attack but it seems to them right that they should pass to us this information which is to the following effect.

It is said that the I.R.A. chiefs have decided that one of the first steps to be taken when they start hostilities will be to kidnap Sir John Maffey and that there is grave danger that he might be killed at once, although for the moment at least the decision is that he should be held as a hostage for the release of any I.R.A. leaders who may be captured.

They point out that they are not of course in a position to assess the reliability of this information.