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SUMMARY RECORD OF SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH UNOFFICIAL
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: 10 am
British Nationality Bill
Reported separately by telegram.
Student Fees
In feente O
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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
14 APR 1981
ESK OFFICER
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2. Mr Alex Wu stressed the importance to Hom FIND link with British universities and asked if there was any. hope of a change in policy. Lord Carrington said h with everything which Mr Wu had said. The ending of the
subsidy of overseas student fees was the most regrettable
action which the Government had had to take. But cuts in
public expenditure had included the education budget, the health service and the aid programme. Lord Carrington saw
made no prospect of restoring the cuts which had been/ in the immediate future. But once the economy had recovered part
at least of the cuts might be restored. In the meantime
all he could say was that Hong Kong was being no worse treated than anyone else.
The
He
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REGISTRY
Action Taken
3. Asked about the difference in the treatment of students
from the EC and UK dependencies, Lord Carrington said that we had certain obligations under the Treaty of Rome. consequences were sometimes absurd, as in this case. could not defend the present position, only explain it. response to another question Lord Carrington strenuously denied that the change in the position over student fees could or should be interpreted as an indication of a lessening in
the British commitment to Hong Kong.
European Community:
Position of Macau on Portuguese Accession
4. Mr S L Chen expressed concern that Macau would obtain a favourable position within the Community after Portuguese accession. Lord Carrington said that whatever the precise
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