CONFIDENTIAL
I know of course that one consequence of the transformation
of Hong Kong from a trading to a manufacturing centre has
inevitably been an increase in the number of situations where
there may be a clash between the interests of Hong Kong and the
domestic interests of the United Kingdom. In such situations
we would regard it as a particular responsibility to see that
Her Majesty's Government took account of Hong Kong's interests
and that they were always carefully weighed when decisions on
policy have to be taken.
It is important that we should be seen to be responding
to the needs of a continuingly developing situation in the
Colony.
There are in this connection three matters in the social
field where an advance seems to be both possible and important.
(i)
Education
I believe that an early announcement of the
introduction of compulsory primary education, free
of charge, would do much to improve Hong Hong's
"image" both in this country and elsewhere.
It
is my understanding that such an announcement would
also meet with general approval in the Colony itself
now that a new public assistance scheme has been
announced. I am assuming that this new scheme will
make it unnecessary for the children of poorer
families to work to supplement the family income.
know all the practical difficulties in the way of
enforcing compulsory primary education but I am not
/convinced
I
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CONFIDENTIAL