CO129-610-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 9-1-1948 - 18-1-1949 — Page 24

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projects" go, but we were not entitled to assume that.

The University Advisory Committee of 1946 had proposed a scheme for expanding the activities of the University beyond its pre-war scope and had tentatively estimated the capital cost of this at £1,000,000 (see

Secretary of State's written reply in the House on 7th April 1948 P.Q. file 54147/P.Q.2/48 below). This figure is an under-estimate (paragraph 8 of 52 on the 1947 file and para. 6 of 2).

It seemed wrong, without giving Hong Kong an opportunity to express a view, to embark them with £250,000 (plus perhaps some C. D. & W. assistance), on a scheme the proper fulfilment of which we know will cost more than a million.

5. I mentioned to Mr. Serpell Mr. Sloss's informal application for C.D. & W. Central assistance (amounting approximately to another £250,000) which is dealt with on 54403/2/48. Mr. Serpell remarked that of course C. D. & W. assistance was not available for the "increasing British prestige" part of Hong Kong University development (which we know, but which only adds point to para.4(c) above). (This point has been made before by the Treasury see passage side-lined in red at (44) on the 1947 file).

6.