CO129-610-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 3-1-1947 - 29-12-1947 — Page 18

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Mr.Bevin is at present in the country and is likely, I gather, to be there for some little time yet. While there he is not being troubled with any save the more urgent papers. I may be able to clear this with Sir Orme Sargent. Please let me have the draft of a letter to him telling him of the point raised by Mr.Crombie; of the conversation between the two Secretaries of State recorded in Mr.Creech Jones' minute on 54145; and asking whether he would agree to our giving

the Treasury an assurance as suggested in 1 of Mr.Seel's minute.

Th

Cord

22.5.47. m

1

I am sorry that it has been decided not to take action on the lines which Mr. Galsworthy and I suggested after discussion and careful consideration. In the absence of a Cabinet decision on Hong Kong there is of course no possibility of making a convincing reply to the first question in Mr. Crombie's letter. With all respect, I still feel that our best course is to proceed as in the draft submitted in my minute of the 17th of May.

If, however, we are going to seek a Ministerial assurance now, before replying to the Treasury, I urge that we should try to get one on the lines suggested in the last paragraph of my minute of the 15th of May on 54145/47, so that it will 1eet Cava the difficulties we are likely to encounter on the other problems mentioned in my minute on that file, particularly the airport. I imagine that this is essentially a case where we should avoid two bites at the cherry.

All of this will, of course, involve further delay in arriving at a decision on the University question. This was one of the aspects which Mr. Galsworthy and I had especially in mind when we recommended action as in the draft submitted in my minute of the 17th of May.

by mak

St. 5.47.