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that this would be undesirable, not only because of the decision to defer further consideration of our main recommendation but also because of certain passages in the Report, which it was thought might give rise to some very awkward repercussions. The se passages were ones in which reference was made to the spreading of British influence and culture in China, British prestige in the Far East, and the uncertainty of the future political status of Hong Kong. I was consulted about this, and, in view of the number of deletions which would have been required, I agreed that the Report should not be published.
It was, however, decided to issue a statement on the future of the University, summarising our recommendations and indicating the policy which had been agreed
upon. This statement was made in the House of Commons on the 7th April this year as an answer to a Parliamentary Question; I am enclosing a copy of it with this letter.
Later in April, when the general financial settlement between His Majesty's Government and the Hong Kong Government was being negotiated, it was agreed that His Majesty's Government should make a grant of £250,000 to assist the rehabilitation and development of the University. Although this grant, which does not preclude the further consideration of our main recommendation at a later date, is clearly by itself inadequate for carrying it out, it is hoped that it may now be possible to do more than merely restore the University to its pre-war position.
Now, quite recently, the Hong Kong Government have made representations urging that our Report should be published, omitting only a few
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