CO129-593-4 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 27-10-1946 - 30-1-1947 — Page 15

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put to the Treasury for expanding the activities of the Hong Kong University so as to include provision for China, and has expressed the view that, whatever the future extension of the activities of the British Council in China, it is probably true to auy that Hong Kong University is potentially the largest single "cultural" contribution to Chinese reconstruction which Great Britain is capable of making.

Finally, there is the strong support by our Ambassador in Nanking, contained in the cable, of which Mayhew sent me a copy with his letter. I should perhaps explain that it was in the letter referred to in paragraph 7 of that telegram, that Professor Roxby expressed the views mentioned above.

I very much hope therefore that you will agree ́ that the Hong Kong scheme (which had not been formulated when the Scarborough Commission was carrying out its enquiry) should now be accepted as a means of moeting the Commission's objective in China, and should be put to the Treasury as soon as practicable, without any conditions being attached as regards the Peking suggestion or the proposals for the extension of British Council activities. In the hope that you will share this view, I am asking my people to send to yours the draft of a memorandum which might be used as a basis for the joint approach to the Treasury at the right time.

(3gd.) A. CREECH JONES.