CO129-610-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 3-1-1947 - 29-12-1947 — Page 210

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207

Colonial Office,

Downing Street,

S.W.1..

27th February, 1947.

Dear Mr. Ballantyne,

Mr. A.L. Scott tells me that you have been handling the papers about the future of Hong Kong University. As you know, in his letter of the 30th January, my Secretary of State in writing to Mr. Bevin said that a memorandum was being prepared which might be used as a basis for a joint Foreign Office/Colonial Office approach to the Treasury. I enclose two copies of the draft of such a memorandum and should be glad to have your 'comments on it. (The two annexes referred to in the memorandum are not enclosed as you already have the papers referred to)

The memorandum attempts to show the extent to which the question of assistance for the University was considered before the war; the recommendations which have been put forward for re-establishing the University so as to make it an effective centre for the maintenance and development of Sino-British relations in the cultural field; the estimated cost involved in these recommendations; and our proposals as to how the capital and recurrent expenditure (required should be met.

It has been suggested that it may be possible for the approach to the Treasury to be on a ministerial level in which case either an additional or a revised and shorter memorandum will no doubt be required.

A.M. BALLANTYNE, ESQ.

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd) A. M. RUSTON

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