CONFIDENTIAL
clearly the amounts involved will be very substantial. Inescapably HM Government will be called upon to shoulder the largest burden. But it might be open to us to create a fund for the reconstruction of the Falkland Islands. open to public subscription, into which the money offered by the Hong Kong "Unofficials" could be deposited. There seems every reason to hope that, properly handled, such a fund could attract a lot of public support, both within this country and from elsewhere.
4. The most urgent need is to give the Governor the publicity guidance he has sought. Thereafter, we should consult Ministers, perhaps either by inviting the Secretary of State to raise it at one of the regular OD (SA) meetings, or by a Private Secretary letter. As the Treasury are not represented on OD(SA), perhaps the latter would be the best route.
5. I would hope that the anxieties understandably expressed by Far East Department and Mr Donald could be accommodated, if the Hong Kong donation were absorbed within this larger fund. Clearly private donations by wealthy Hong Kong citizens would be preferable to a payment from Hong Kong Government funds, but even the latter might be possible if made to a public appeal as suggested above.
Bridger
(Bridges)
3 June 1982
CONFIDENTIAL