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Tel No.: Whitehall 1234
Your Reference... 54126/6/47
NATIONAL
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Treasury Reference...
IF.16/10/01
TREASURY CHAMBERS,
GREAT GEORGE STREET,
4
LONDON, S.W.1.
(3)
・Jordan (D)
13th May, 1947.
copies sent to Accounts Mr.
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Dear Palmer,
'You ask me, in your letter of 23rd April about the financial position and prospects of Hong Kong, to agree to the form of a draft despatch to the colony on the Governor's request for a grant from this country on the lines of that given to Malta.
I
2 Most of your despatch appears to be a recapitulation of what is" known about the present position of Hong Kong's finances. note that you ask for a fuller appreciation of the colony's liabilities and its financial prospects over the next 5 years. We shall, of course, examine such a statement with interest, but I think I had better warn you now that I see very little likelihood of H.M.G. being able to agree to a grant to Hong Kong on the same lines as that extended to Malta. The two cases are not similar and you will, I am sure, be well advised not to raise the Governor's hopes.
3 I note also that you intend to suggest that provision of £4 million might be included for the cost of the construction of an international airport. Here again, I feel that you should go cautiously at this stage. As far as I know, it has not yet been accepted that a new airfield is necessary at Hong Kong.
Jon
As regards the sum of £46 million for War Damage com- pensation, it is no doubt prudent to make provision at this
7
H. Palmer Esq.,
Colonial Office
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