5?
14
53611/12/47
Code
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
TO HONG KONG (0).A.G.)
FROM S. OF S., COLONIES.
Sent 10th June, 1947.
15.30 hrs,
No. 931
Ansd (16)
1.
Your telegram No. 350.
Engineering Apprenticeships.
Interim free grant of £1,000, to be charged to Hong Kong's allocation from Colonial Development and Welfare funds, has been approved to cover award of further
5 apprenticeship scholarships referred to in paragraph 9 of my despatch No. 267 of 23rd December. This interim grant is intended to cover cost of passages and outfit allowances, and incidental expenses including maintenance for first few weeks only, as it is not yet possible to assess accurately total cost. Latter is however expected to be in region of £3,500.
2. Each scholarship is for one year in first instance, with extension of one further year subject to satisfactory work and progress report.
3. I have assumed that suggestion in your telegram No. 350 referred to second batch of 5 scholarships only, and I should be grateful for your confirmation of my understanding that expenses in connection with first batch of 5 scholarships may be debited to Hong Kong funds. In this connection
I regret that information concerning tenure cf sehelarships given in paragraph 2 above was omitted from my dospatch No. 267. As first year of first batch is now nealing completion, it is proposed to authorise extension of scholarships to cover second year, in view of satisfactory progress reports on all 5 students concerned. Copies of these reports follow by air mail.
4。 One of students concerned, Chak Fuk-Yat, who has been apprenticed to Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company, has already applied for extension for further year and has in addition sought permission to undertake 13 weeks' practical experience course under arrangements suggested by Metropolitan Vickers. This is recommended and endorsed by F.B.I. As person named will not draw remuneration during this period, it is proposed to pay his allowance in full.
I estimate that total cost of first batch over two-year period will be £3,500, subject to contingencies.
50
6
I would appreciate a very early reply by telegram.