15
The Treasury letter is certainly disappointing, and I think that the draft reply submitted is about the best we can do in the circumstances.
I venture, however, to question the desirability of retaining in the draft the point at X/ which has been included in accordance with Sir Thomas Lloyd's suggestion in the green slip attached above No.28. As I see it, this is an additional argument in favour of re-opening the University on an extended basis from the point of view of providing indirect evidence of H.M.G.'s intention to retain Hong Kong. It does not answer the Treasury point of what H.M.G.'s intentions are. It might even be held by the Treasury to indicate some uncertainty in our own minds. I suggest, therefore, that it should be omitted from the draft.
by membe
17.5.47.