CO129-610-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 15-2-1949 - 7-2-1950 — Page 75

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XXXXXXXXXX felt in considerable doubt as to the wisdom of committing funds

to Hong Kong in the present political situation and, in any case, would

prefer to wait until a visit had taken place. The real point was, was a

visit justified or were there financial snags which ought to be resolved

before a visit was decided on?

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Mr. Adams expressed the view that, before the delegation went, out-

standing questions e.g. with the Treasury ought to be resolved.

Further discussion followed, in which Mr. Sidebotham emphasised that

the Treasury would want to see the scheme as a whole before they would

express views on the matter, and suggested that the position has materially

changed since the Council reached their original conclusions about the

desirability of having a University representing British views and culture

in the Far East.

Mr. Adams agreed that this was so.

-

Dr. Sloss referred to the desire of Chinese families to have their sons

educated in China This had led to a large number of Chinese from Malaya

and elsewhere going to Chinese Universities, and it was likely that, under the

a situation Communist regime, they would no longer wish to do so, which, despite the

hustably creation of the University at Singapore, would lead to a further flow of

Chinese students to the Hong Kong University.

Mr. Faskin said that he considered that Hong Kong had a stronger case for

assistance than Malta, which had already been substantially assisted from

the Central Education Fund.

Mr. Cox stressed the need for the goodwill of the Council in sending a

for that reason delegation now, and thought that, on the whole, it might be better to wait till

Easter.

Dr. Sloss asked whether an undertaking could be given that the delay

would not prejudice Hong Kong's position.

the

(700000

Mr. Adams said that there was about £500,000 still left in the central

vis-a-vis any posible grant to stongkong,

it allocation, and that Hong Kong position would not be substantially altereddy the dilay.

「

Taking into account allocations already contemplated, there would be only

£250000

about £200,000 available out of the central reserve, of which £50,000 would

/ certainly