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397
REF.
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REF.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51
- 4 JUL 1969
1+KK 21/11
میسا
41
Reference..
Mr. Hughes (to see).
Mr Carter (Hong Kong Dept.)
•
I am sorry to have been so long replying to your minute of 23 June about the Kai Tak project.
2.
The loan was voted (for Colonial Services). I confirm that the amount outstanding at 31.3.69 was £1,400,000. We receive the repayments which are credited to CFER, and thus they are shown in our annual estimates.
3. So far as Finance Department is concerned there is no objection to asking the Treasury to agree that the balance of the loan be waived.
4. The Treasury has been consulted (by telephone) about the technicalities involved if a waiver should be agreed and they have suggested that we seek a ruling on the matter by including a request for one in the letter. The question resolves itself into whether Parliament is to be told by:
(a) token provision in estimates
with appropriate wording;
or
(b) by making an announcement (or
answering a question) in the House and then, in due course, noting our Appropriation Account.
The Treasury were not sure without giving thought to the point which course would be the appropriate one the amount involved is the relevant factor. I suggest an additional sentence at the end of paragraph 9 of the draft, to read, "If you agree with the proposal would you let me know whether you will want us to deal with the technicalities by means of token vote provision, or by an announcement or question in Parliament with the Appropriation Account being noted.
W
c.c. Mr. 0. Brien
(FP & A Dept.)
坏
(E. G. White) Finance Department
3.7.69