Reference....
(3)
By
Mr Burr (ODM)
NEXT
TEN.
(5F
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES
1.
Thank you for your letter of 9 September.
2. I assume that the visit by the Technical Assistance, Educational Adviser referred to in paragraph 2 of your liter mie is that made by Dr Pickard to Hong Kong in November/ December 1973. I know of no other relevant visit in connection with the projects for the Polytechnic and the Technical Institutes.
3. As indicated in paragraph 3 of my minute of 20 August to Mr Williams, we are, of course, fully aware of Dr Pickard' visit. Unfortunately, as our further researches have confirmed, Dr Pickard's report, insofar as it dealt with the Polytechnic and Technical Institutes, seems not to have been considered to contain sufficient detailed information for a fresh approach to be made to the Projects Committee. The view taken at that time was that it would be advisable to have a detailed list of the equipment and books which the Polytechnic would require as well as more detailed economic information in view of the important manpower aspects of both projects. It was Hong Kong's delay in providing this additional information which held up our submission to Projects Committee.
4.
In the light of the above information, which does not affect what I said in my minute of 20 August, I hope that Mr Williams will now agree to submit the case direct to the Minister on the basis of our previously announced commitment and of the revised Projects Committee paper.
5.
I am returning your copy of Dr Pickard's report.
CODE 18-77
26 September 1975
моиль
PL O'Keeffe
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept