CO129-618-3 University of Hong Kong- grants and financial assistance 6-5-1948 - 10-6-1948 — Page 45

MR. BOWLES:

MR.

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WRITTEN REPLY

FOR WEDNESDAY, 7TH APRIL, 1948.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what progress has been made with the restoration of University facilities in Hong Kong.

ANSWER

CREECH JONES: In 1939 a Committee appointed by the

Chancellor recommended a modest scheme for the development of the University in order that it might more adequately fulfil the purposes for which it was established, namely: to be a centre of British University life not only for the Colony but for the contiguous areas of China. The Committee's recommendations were approved by the Government of Hong Kong and gained the sympathetic interest of His Majesty's Government. War came before most of the changes recommended could be initiated. After the liberation of Hong Kong the whole question of the future of the University was considered by a Com- mittee in London, appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. This Committee recommended the re-establishment of the University with staff and facilities on a much more extensive scale than hitherto, involving capital expenditure which the Committee tentatively estimated at approximately £1,000,000, and recurrent expenditure of £85,600 per annum. The Committee took the view that if the University could not be re-established with the standards which they recommended so that it could bear comparison with Universities in the United Kingdom and with Chinese Universities, it would be better not to re-establish it at all. The Com--- mittee's recommendation involved substantial financial assistance from United Kingdom funds. Its further consideration has unfortunately had to be deferred owing to the present conditions in the United Kingdom. The Hong Kong Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies do not, however, consider that it would be right to delay any further a decision on the re-establishment of the University, and it has been decided that steps should be taken now to restore the University, as rapidly as possible, to its status and scope of 1940.

While these matters have been under dis- cussion care for higher educational needs in the Colony has been met by the provision of teaching for men and women who aim at courses leading to degrees in Arts, Science, Civil Engineering and Medicine. The need of the Colony for teachers, civil engineers and doctors is sufficient reason for this attempt to maintain the continuity of training for the professions in Hong Kong. To achieve this end, an Interim Com- mittee was established to organize and conduct essential teaching, and a temporary Provisional Powers Committee, was established by Order-in-Council to carry out certain essential functions of the University. The Interim Committee, with full approval of the Provisional Powers Committee, determined that, faced by shortage of staff and destruction of the greater

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