QUESTION 2.
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.217 TO FCO.
-3-
6. BOTH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND I REFERRED TO THE QUESTION
OF A COMPREHENSIVE AND PROPERLY ORGANIZED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
SCHEME IN OUR BUDGET SPEECHES IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 26TH
FEBRUARY. FAR-REACHING PROPOSALS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO QUADRUPLE
OUR EXPENDITURE IN THIS FIELD ARE NOW BEING DRAWN UP.
ONE
AIM WILL BE TO ENSURE, PROBABLY THROUGH A SYSTEM OF CASH
GRANTS, THAT NO CHILD IS DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY OF TAKING
UP A FREE OR AIDED PLACE IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL
HARDSHIP WHICH IT IS BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF THE PARENTS TO
REMEDY.
7. 1 EXPECT TO BE APPROACHING YOU SHORTLY WITH A REQUEST
FOR AN ADVISOR TO BE PROVIDED WHO COULD HELP US TO SET UP SUCH
A SCHEME. DETAILS OF SUCH A POSSIBLE REQUEST ARE CURRENTLY
UNDER STUDY.
SIR.D.TRENCH
FILES
H.K.D.
NEWS DEPT. MR.MORETON
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
CONFIDENTIAL
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