193
10 March 1971
JK Kisch Esq РСО
Overseas Development Administration
Eland House SW1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51
інкка/р
HONG KONG: TECHNICAL INST ITUZES
When speaking to yo. on the telephone about your letter of 2 March, I said you could assume our concurrence in the draft tele ram attached to Laird's letter of 26 February unless you heard further from me within the hour. I write now to confirm that we had no objection to the draft; and to underline and amplify what you say about the need for consultation with the Treasury.
It is perhaps not mainly for me to express regret that the Hong Kong Government were not consulted before the Hinisterial decision that led to the dispatch of FCO telegram No. 147, though the result may be that they have an opening to press for assistance in going ahead with more Technical Institutes than they would have given priority to. I am however seriously concerned that there should not have been consultation with ourselves before the telegram was sent. Obviously we are not disposed to endorse action after the event.
I am sending copies of this letter to Laird; and to Toms at the DTI.
HS Lee
A. ||| 22/2/11
Si