dti
the department for Enterprise
Overseas Trade Services
Pa
72,
Scholarships
J Smith-Laittan Esq British Trade Commission Hong Kong
HKB
285/1
RECEN
INGISTRY
11
1993
REGISTRY
INDL
PA
Action Taken
Direct line 071 215 6762
Our ref HC 108
Your ref
Date
5 August 1993
Dear Mr Smith - Laittan
Department of Trade and Industry
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street London SW1E 6RB
Enquiries 071-215 5000
Telex: 8813148DIHQ G
Fax: 071-828 3258
CBI OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME
I have seen a copy of your letter to John Morris in HKD, FCO of 23 June about the above scheme. You may know that although it is described as a CBI initiative, it is in fact funded in part (£250,000 approx per annum) by the DTI. The Scheme is, however, managed on a daily basis by a small secretariat within the CBI.
Your letter identifies particular problems which seem to discourage scholars from Hong Kong participating in the Scheme. Following discussions with the British Council, you indicate two possible ways of overcoming these: an increase in the CBI monthly maintenance allowance of £560; and secondly, the willingness on the part of the British Council to pay for the costs of the outward airfare of participants, in return for a greater involvement in the selection of candidates. As far as the first proposal is concerned, I fear that there is little we can do. The allowance is universal in its application. Moreover, 80% of the costs of it are met by participating companies. Any increase in the allowance, whether in respect of scholars from Hong Kong or elsewhere, could therefore affect companies' willingness to continue participating in the scheme. This is particularly so in the current depressed climate. Unless there were to be a general and global increase, we think it would be wrong for Hong Kong scholars to receive a preferential rate.
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