CONFIDENTIAL
We were, of course, met by all the usual arguments that
Hong Kong was already so rich that it was not aid-worthy
and did not merit money from ODA funds.
We stressed,
with increasing support from the Department of Trade and
Industry, that in proposing that HMG should provide up
to £100,000 for the equipment of each of the institutes
we were not only giving some modest help towards the setting up of the institutes, but by equipping them with
British machinery, teaching the rising generation to know
and work with British equipment and thus improving
i
export prospects.
It took us nearly 4 months to
achieve a satisfactory outcome and then only when we
had had to seek a ruling from
which went were able to convince the Secretary of State to rule
against ODA.
1
L
For this reason we simply could not
contemplate re-opening the matter in order to meet your
request for discretion in the way the money is spent.
If we were to do so there is a real danger that we
should lose the money, altogether or in part.
3. I note from your telegram that one institute is
already built and that you are contemplating a second (which would, in fact, be the first of the 4 recommended
by ITAC). Has the first institute been equipped
already, or would our gift of up to £100,000 for it be
helpful to you? I dare say that we could get agreemen
to this, but I would not like otherwise to vary the
offer contained in FCO telegram No. 147.
And that trade considerdig
Could not gover
the use of and funds
(Only
писё
The last reorganization
of Governemer had
This become posible
no we were making
herring :)
n
CONFIDENTIAL
ISE
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN