CO129-627-1 Economic and social survey- new territories 1-2-1950 - 31-7-1951 — Page 20

54403/14/50.

Sent 2014

Colonial Office,

20

8

The Church House,

Great Smith Street,

London, S.W.1.

20th April, 1950.

With reference to my letter of the 22nd February, the proposal for an economic and social survey of the new territories was discussed with Nicoll and Barrow early this month and I enclose a copy of the notes of the meeting.

Firth is at present in America but is due to return at the end of the month when we hope to arrange for Nicoll to see him.

We agree, however, that the survey should be carried out by local investigators and both Nicoll and Barrow considered that Paul Tsui would be able to take charge of it. As Tsui already knows Firth, he will probably be able to seek guidance from him should this be necessary and Nicoll will, no doubt, take this up when he sees Firth. I am sending separately a copy of "A Survey of Rural Life in Cyprus" which was prepared by Surridge. Surridge, speaking from personal experience, recommends that the officer in charge of the survey should be able to devote his whole time to it and that part time arrangements are most unsatisfactory. The Cyprus survey might be helpful to Tsui, particularly the questionnaire, which he can adapt where necessary. This survey is now out of print and we would like this copy returned eventually.

We have not yet been able to get hold of a copy of Firth's investigation into the life and work of the Kelantan fishermen and if we are successful I will send it on later.

I note that you propose to apply for a grant for the survey from the C.D. & W. Research funds. I am afraid that we are unable to consider this at this stage and it will have

Sir Alexander Grantham, K.C.M.G.

/to

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