CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946 — Page 3

3

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but those who have not yet reached that age, but、 nevetheless will not be required may present some difficulty. For this reason Mr. Sloss thought that we should have some legal standing if their appointments are to be terminated.

7.

Both Mr. Sloss, and Mr. Morse on further consideration, felt that as a Committee we should have statutory powers in view of the fact that we should be responsible for the disbursement of such large amounts of the University's funds. Payments to staff on the basis proposed above will amount to about £95,000.

8.

It is true that in analogous situations it has been considered sufficient for a Committee to be appointed by the Secretary of State, e.g. the Committee which has been set up to assume the responsibilities of the singapore and Penang Harbour Board. But that concern was a semi-government body, while the University is, by its constitution, a completely independent body. Moreover, we have recently established by Order-in-Council a Committee empowered to act on behalf of the Senate of the University in the matter of the confermath of medical degrees, and it would, therefore, I suggest, be appropriate that by a similar means a Committee should now be established to assume the functions of the Finance Committee provided for in the University Ordinance.

9.

It is for consideration whether, at the same time, the Order-in-Council should not provide for the establishment of a body to act

in the name of the Council of the University, since, as Mr. loss points out, even when civil government is restored and the first steps are taken towards the re-opening of the University, it will not be possible for the Council, as such, to function, as various of the professors, cribed as members of the Council, will not be available. Such a Committee, empowered to represent the Council of the University, would have power to terminate the appointments of those members of the staff whose contracts had not already elapsed (see paragraph 6 above) and would thus avoid any difficulty arising from irregular proceedings on this count.

10.

But

Yesterday we considered only expenditure which must be met with regard to the past commitments of the University; the future was touched on in view of the major issues of policy involved. without approaching a decision on long range policy aud on the narrowest austerity basis, some planning must be done in the very near future on the matter of supplies and re-equipment. The order of such supplies will require further disbursements from University funds and provides an additional reason, I think, for regularising the position of those who will be responsible for the handling of these monies.

11.

Mr. Morse will confirm in greater detail the figures given above and it was proposed that the Colonial Office should approach the Treasury with a request that the grant voted by the Legislative Council from Hong Kong Government funds for the University in the immediate post-war years should be given for the period of four years (1942-1945) at the same rate, making a total of £98,000.

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8.11.45