CO129-618-1 Institute of Medical Research- proposed construction 21-4-1947 - 5-12-1947 — Page 5

No.105/641/47.

5

5

(4).

Dear Mayle,

REOLIVEL

22 NOV 1947

Lc.o

C. O, RESY

Government House,

Hong Kong.

7th November, 1947.

Thank you for your letter of 30th August, 1947, on the subject of Selwyn-Clarke's proposal for the construction of a new Institute for Medical Research in Hong Kong at the expense partly of Hong, Kong's Colonial Development and Welfare allocation and partly of the Colonial Development and Welfare central research fund.

2.

· Selwyn-Clarke did not mention the scheme to me, nor is it at all certain that it had support on a priority basis from the Hong Kong Development and Welfare Committee. What is certain is that at present day costs it could not be carried out for $750,000.

3. Newton thinks the plan is an excellent one and there is opportunity here for research work, particularly on vaccines in connection with tuberculosis. Very little research work in pathology and allied subjects has been carried out in Hong Kong and there is largely a virgin field. But in addition to the cost of the buildings, which will be much more than Selwyn-Clarke estimated, there would also have to be an additional research team as the present staff of the Pathological Institute are fully occupied in routine work.

4.

The present building looks dilapidated but is reported structurally sound, is being repaired and should last for a number of years.

5. Although this scheme will be of value I am not convinced that there is a case for excepting it from the policy outlined in MacDougall's

(3) telegram No.1169 and I think it should be left to take its place in the

programme with the other projects mentioned in the telegram.

N. L. Mayle, Esq.,

Colonial Office,

Church House,

Great Smith Street,

London, S.W.1.

Yours sincerely,

Machautham.