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4.
Accordingly, the matter was further discussed in the department at a meeting with the Governor on 24 November. The Governor who, for the reasons stated in paragraph 7 is most anxious that the visit should take place, then said that if it would enable the Committee to take a more favourable view of the proposal, he would be willing, in the last resort, to ask his Finance Committee if they would agree to vote the funds required to meet the costs (or a share of the costs if Malaysia was also to be visited).
5. The Governor has now reported that members of his Executive Council have reacted favourably to the idea that the Colony might have
9) to meet part or all of the costs of the visit. Any contribution by
the Colony would naturally require the formal agreement of the Standing Finance Committee of the Legislative Council and the actual amount involved would of course be a consideration when agreement is sought; but the indications are that a contribution of the order of HK$200,000 (£13,750) could be obtained without difficulty if necessary.
6. There is a precedent for the Governor's proposal. The last official Royal visit to Hong Kong (which was undertaken at the request of the Colonial Government) took place in 1961 when Princess Alexandra paid a ten-day visit to the Colony for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the University of Hong Kong. On that occasion, although the initiative for the visit came from the Hong Kong Government, it became in the event part of a tour which included a number of Commonwealth
It was accordingly agreed that the total common costs involved (i.e. costs unattributable to any particular 1960-61) territory or country visited, of which the main item was the cost of
transport) should be shared between Hong Kong and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Colonial Services votes in proportion to the time spent in Hong Kong and in the other territories and countries visited. (Incidental expenses such as the cost of extra dresses for the ladies, presents to be given in Hong Kong, etc., were borne on the Colonial In the event the Hong Kong Government contributed £15,000 towards the total common costs of the tour (which amounted to approximately £55,000).
FES 618/02 and foreign countries.
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Fuo 6/8/07 Services vote). F50618/07 Flag E
(1960-62)
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