Fax no: LOT 1238
Commissioner, London
From.
Ref...(14)
Tel. No.
Date
G.F. 73A
in.
75/154
24 April 1990
MEMO
To
Secretary for Education & Manpowe
(Attn: Mr Albert Lai)
Your Ref..
in.
dated
EMB CR 26/2041/66 Pt 17
24 April 1990
UK/HK Governments Joint Funding Scheme
Thank you for your fax message of the same date.
Regarding your paragraph 2, if the choice is between giving advice to students in woolly terms and prejudging ExCo advice, then there is really no choice at all. But of course the decision is yours. I have to point out however that had policy endorsement been obtained from ExCo earlier, the problems now arise, including your various problems with deadlines which you detailed in your memo of 19 April 1990, would not have arisen.
2.
Since you are now planning to go to ExCo on 8 May, and assuming ExCo endorses your proposal this will just give enough time for the Forms and Notes to reach the students and for them to obtain the necessary certification etc before they break up for the summer. This is on the understanding that you will immediately despatch the Important Notes to this office. We will of course hold the notes for you until you give us the green light for distribution.
3.
If you are doubtful about obtaining ExCo endorsement on 8 May, you may wish to send us now the "woolly" version as well; and subject to your advice on 8 May, we can distribute this version instead of the good one. I would strongly advise against this course of action, but since timing is paramount, we will co-operate.
4.
I think you will agree that going to ExCo on 15 May is a bit too late, given the various procedures you have outlined which the students, the institutions and the Government need to complete.
HKB
286/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
26 APR 1990
DESPNFICER
INDEX
HA
Manner
wo
(Maureen Wong) (Ms
for Commissioner
MW/sw
cc FCO-HKD