The Arts
7. The Council aims in the arts to enhance the image of Britain through the wide dissemination of her artistic achievement.
It
arranges for the major British companies to perform in Hong Kong, but also manages and funds tours by lesser known and innovative artists unlikely to obtain sponsorship from the rather traditional Hong Kong promoters. In 1990 major events will include a tour by the National Theatre Company and a prestigious art exhibition of British figurative painting since 1945 entitled 'Picturing People'. The Council also runs an active arts programme at its centre on Hong
Kong Island.
Points of Special Interest
8.
The Council plans to more than double its work with higher and further education in Hong Kong, and to strengthen its cooperation with the professions, in particular in the training of young professionals such as accountants and lawyers. In order to raise its profle in Hong Kong, the Council will relocate to the proposed new British Centre which will provide a high quality and prestigious
focus for its work in the late 1990s.
Nationality
9. The local office staff made representations to Sir D Orr when he visited Hong Kong last month. So far no specific allocation of assurances has been decided for the local employees of the British Council (or British Trade Commission, Property Services Agency
etc).
The Secretary of State has told Sir D Orr that the number of beneficiaries under the scheme is very tight but we envisage that
some British Council staff might benefit. Precise details are under
consideration with the Home Office and we can give no firm
assurance of numbers at this stage.
PJMARE (4)