THE CONVENT,
GIBRALTAR.
-2-
d.
The MOD at present meet all the costs of maintaining the fabric of the Convent and renewing furnishings and furniture.
This last obligation was taken on by the MOD (with the PSA as their agents) only in 1969, as
only in 1969, as one aspect of the British Government's policy of 'sustaining and supporting' Gibraltar. It is in principle to continue only until the present Spanish restrictions are lifted and the frontier is opened again. However, I have serious doubts as to whether this small community would then be able (certainly it would not be very willing) to reassume financial responsibility for maintaining the Convent to an acceptable standard.
My answer to your question, therefore, is that so long as the MOD continue to support the Governor in the various ways in which they do at present, I stand in need of no additional help. Gibraltar is, as you know, not a poor colony, though the propulation is small. I have no doubt that Gibraltar itself can continue to afford my salary, my travel on leave, and a reasonable entertainment allowance; but I think that there would be real difficulty if they were asked also to take on all the expenses of the household staff and the cost of maintaining the Convent and keeping it in good repair.
W E Quantrill Esq
Hong Kong and General Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW 1
Bill Kellen
Тым