NATIONAL
CHEM
FOR DISARIED MEN
REA 19118.
THE WAR OFFICE,
4
WHITEHALL, S.W.1.
21st December, 1945
7
38
Dear Palmer,
I expect you have already seen the enclosed report from Hong Kong on developments in the financial and economic sphere which I understand was circulated to the Colonial Office some weeks ago as part of a general report.
As the report was compiled two months ago some of it is, of course, out of date by this time and there are two points which deserve further consideration.
In the first place we are not altogether happy about the arrangements which the administration are apparently proposing to make with the electricity companies. On the face of it it looks as though the administration is to run these concerns as long as they are running at a loss and the companies taken them over again as soon as there is a profit to be made with the additional proviso that the administration pay a rental for the privilege of running at a loss.
At any rate whether this is an accurate statement of the position or not we certainly think that we ought to ask Hong Kong for a full report.
In fact one would have expected them to refer here before concluding any arrangements of the kind which they seem to have in mind. Unless, therefore, you have further information about this in the Colonial Office we would propose to cable accordingly.
mce
The second point concerns the eye subsidy which is said to be costing $156,400 a day. I suppose that if we suggest that the subsidy should be reduced we shall be told that it will involve an increase in the cost of living allowance or at any rate prevent the contemplated reduction in that allowance.
I/
H. Palmer, Esq., Colonial Office, Downing Street.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.