20
Gener
Professor Sir Patrick Abercrombie called to see me to-day. He is attracted by the idea of going to Hong Kong, but has engagements in this country which will keep him here until August.
As the result of our discussion, Sir Patrick Abercrombie promised to let me have a note outlining the information which he would require to be furnished for the purpose of his enquiry and also the terms of reference which he thinks might be appropriate. On the latter point, he was inclined to agree with me that a joint appreciation of the problem and advice on the general lines on which development should proceed was probably what was wanted, leaving the details of the development plan and its execution to be carried out by a Planning Officer. Sir Patrick felt that it would be very desirable to get terms of reference agreed before he went off and I am sure that he is quite right.
At my request, he will also let us know when is the earliest time he would be able to visit Hong Kong. In this connection, he made some enquiries about the climate, about which I propose to write to Mr. Hazlerigg, who has recently returned from Hong Kong.
I mentioned the question of fees, but Sir Patrick said that this would depend very largely on the terms of reference and how long his visit would take and we left it at that.
We should now telegraph to Hong Kong, as Miss Beaton suggests, informing them about the scheme. We can add in the telegram that
Sir Patrick Abercrombie has been approached, and that we are hopeful that he will be prepared to pay
a visit to Hong Kong, but that he may not be able to leave this country until the Autumn owing to his engagements here. We can promise a further telegram as soon as we hear definitely from Sir Patrick Abercrombie.
Animale
15.4.47.
Draft telegram hpw.
про
D.B. Whyte 16%.
20 To HongKong - Tel. 629
17.4.47
Page 20Page 21