Page 13
1
Page 13
3
payments should be based on the criterion of need rather than entitlement. Lord Gorony-Roberts said that this point woulâ
have to be considered. In his view benefits should be determined
by the fact, for example, of unemployment or sickness.
7. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that consideration would obviously have to be given to where the money would be found for these
programmes. In this context he was somewhat concerned that HMG were not given a prognosis of the Hong Kong Government's fiscal intentions before the recent budget. HMG was entitled to this, particularly as, in his view, the last budget was, on balance, regressive. He felt that the Hong Kong Government should give HMG adequate notice, say three weeks to one month, of budget intentions, so that if HMG wished to offer comments it could do
He asked Sir Donys Roberts, when reporting to the Governor, to say that he felt strongly about this matter. Sin Denys Roberts asked whether it was the intention that the 1958 Lennox-Boyà formula should be introduced. Lori Goronwy-Roberts said that what was needed was some idea of the thinking and intentions .of the Hong Kong Government. It had been very difficult here to meet informed criticism of the budget.
8. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that this brought him to a wider point about communication: he thought a fuller flow of information between London and Hong Kong was desirable. This was particularly important in matters of known Parliamentary concern where it was helpful to both HMG and the Hong Kong Government to have the fullest information available. Much progress had been made, especially during the past two years, in educating Parliamentary opinion on the particular nature of Hong Kong's problems but this was bound to be a continuing process.
9. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that he wished to speak on the subject of Hong Kong's sterling reserves. The pound was under
J}
pressure and it was prudent to assume that it would be so for some time. HMG was naturally seriously concerned about this and it was obviously important that territories as closely linked with
7.
Page 13
Page 13
Page 13
!