M
Enchrome
*(6)
5
6
With reference to Mr. Sidebotham's minute of 13/5 on 54147/48 a copy of which I have placed on this file at (5), I spoke to Mr. Adams on the 14th May (after his minute of the same date (6) was written) and explained that the Governor could not be expected to comment on Mr. Sloss's proposals for assistance from the C. D. & W. Central allocation for higher education until he was in a position to consider the use to be made of the £250,000 for the University recently promised by H. M. G. and that he would not be in a position to consider this until we could send him a telegram which would have to be concerted with the Treasury (which might take a little time). I did not think we could in the circumstances expect to receive considered comments (or even provisional ones) from the Governor in time for them to be placed before, the Colonial Universities Grants Advisory Committee at its meeting on the 27th May and indeed it would hardly be satisfactory or fair to rush him to this extent on what is a problem not free from difficulty, even if we were able to overcome the time factor. Further, Mr. Sloss will be back in Hong Kong on the 25th May (too late however to discuss the matter with the Governor in time for a cable to be sent in time for the meeting on the 27th) and there is obviously every advantage in allowing for such discussion between Mr. Sloss and the Governor.
2. Mr. Adams agreed therefore that Mr. Sloss's application should be put before the Inter- University Council on the 21st May (as already arranged) for their comment on the academic aspects and should then be put informally before the Grants Committee on the 27th so that they may be aware that a bid for assistance of this order is likely to be made. (This is in effect what Mr. Adams has noted in his minute of 11th May putting the application before the Inter-University Council).
3. I met Mr. Sloss on 15th May, explained the position to him and told him what I had agreed with Mr. Adams. Mr. Sloss also agreed that this was the best course.
4. The result will be that no Colonial Office comment will be made to the Grants Committee until we have received a communication from the Governor drafted after (a) he has received a telegram from us on the question of the use of H. M. G. 's £250,000 and (b) he has had an opportunity of discussion with Mr. Sloss.
Janeen
18.5.48.
4