CO129-593-4 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 27-10-1946 - 30-1-1947 — Page 6

6

Mr. Male.

Maf1.

I had a word with Mr. Sloss when he called yesterday on the two matters mentioned in the letter attached.

As regards the first paragraph of that letter, I told him that while I realised the advantage, from the standpoint of the proposed appeal for funds, of letting some people in Hong Kong know what line of university development was contemplated, I thought that for the time being at least the report of the Committee must remain confidential. I said that I thought it possible that, if and when we had secured the goodwill of the Treasury for this project, a statement of intentions based upon the report could be issued in a form which would serve the purposes which Mr. Sloss had in mind. I also said that we would keep this in view when the time came for the Secretary of State and Mr. Bevin or Mr. Mayhew to have a talk with the Chancellor of the Exchequer

-

i.e.

we would

then suggest that the Chancellor should be asked to agree, before every detail was worked out, to the issue of some such state- ment as I have indicated above.

As regards the second paragraph of Mr. Sloss's letter, I did not go in any detail into the recommendation of the Scarborough Committee which he there mentioned, but said that we would certainly take his view into account if and when the matter came up, as no doubt it would, on

our files.

To Kaid

28.11.46.