CO129-533-2 Proposed site for new Naval Hospital 24-1-1931 - 19-1-1932 — Page 8

SCHEME

MEN

FOR

POISABLED

Any further communication should be addressed to-

The Secretary of the Admiralty,

quoting

"C

5.8

L.P. No. 8.

Admiralty, S.W.1.

London, S.W.1.

16#

CEinc.

153/32/2/6^

January 1932.

sir,

14.

With reference to your letter, No.82771/31, dated 4th February 1931, I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that My Lords desire to accept the site offered by the Government of Hong Kong for the purpose of erecting a new Naval Hospital, together with the sum of $524,264 in return for the surrender of the Old Hospital. In view, however, of the financial situation in this Country, They feel unable at the present moment to enter into a commitment of magnitude such as would be involved in the construction of a new Hospital at a minimum cost of approximately £143,000. In this connection My Lords understand that the Treasury have sent to the Colonial Office a copy of their letter, S.35748, dated 5th January 1932.

2.

My Lords are not in a position to fix an alternative date for the surrender because, at present, They cannot fix a date when the financial situation will permit the new works to be started, but Their intention is to proceed with the scheme as soon as funds become available and to complete it within as short a period as the funds will permit.

3. In the circumstances I am to express the hope that the Government of Hong Kong will permit their offer to remain open for a further period of at least one year on the understanding that the provisions as /to.....

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

S.W.1.