CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951 — Page 193

Origin

94009/10/51

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

Typex

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

D. 27th February, 1951 R. 27th

?f

18

09.50 hrs.

3.

253

IMMEDIATE

No. 225.

Confidential.

Begins.

Your telegram No. 281.

Estimates.

Following for Sidebotham.

Advance copies of estimaces which include

this figure of 88 million are already in the hands of Unofficial Members and it was proposed to make it clear in Budget speech that the figure was purely tentative and that the actual amount of the contribution was subject to negotiation.

If a higher rate of contribution were finally agreed upon the intention was to provide the additional sum required by supplementary vote but if it is for some reason desired to alter the figure now this will have to be done in Select Committee.

2. As a precaution against plane being delayed would be grateful if gist of letter could be telegraphed immediately as it may necessitate amendment to Budget speech and estimates memorandum of which considerable number of copies have to be run off to be available on 7th March. Ends.