TNAG-0037-FCO40-73-Effort-to-improve-relations-with-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 78

GOVERNMENT OFFICE

MALL

LONDON S. W

24th July, 1967.

I

HONG

5 4

KONG

PALL

Our Ref: 42/220SD.

CONFIDENTIAL

Near Bunny,

4631

Rea

a veure

2619

I understand that Sir David Trench discussed with Sir Arthur Galsworthy the suggestion that H.M.G. might make some kind of gesture towards Hong Kong which would be of a long term nature and would demonstrate H.M.G's long term interest in Hong Kong and thus help to maintain both internal and external confidence. I believe that a number of specific projects were mentioned. The same idea is being pursued by the Hong Kong Association and was also, I understand, raised recently with Ministers by Sir Albert Rodrigues and Mrs. Yuen.

2.

When I sent Sir David a copy of the Hong Kong Association's minutes for his information, I mentioned this suggestion and asked his views. He said that it was a matter on which Hong Kong should be consulted but that after considering a number of items which though admirable in themselves were either not wide enough in their appeal or were not capable of early implementation, he and Sir Arthur were inclined to favour the idea of H.M.G. making use of existing aid funds for South East Asia to set up in Hong Kong some form of vocational technical education or technological institution which would serve not only Hong Kong but also South East Asia. I believe that the original idea was for H.M.G. to put up the capital cost and for Hong Kong in return to offer the institution's facilities to South East Asian countries.

3. I do not know whether this idea has yet been dev- eloped further but Sir David in a 'phone call to me said that if it turned out that the capital cost exceeded the funds available, an alternative might be for Hong Kong to meet the capital cost itself and for H.M.G. to make a substantial contribution towards the running costs for a given number of years. While Hong Kong would doubtless welcome a capital cost contribution, Sir David appreciated that it might not be practical politics and thought that the alternative which he had thought of later might also serve to achieve the object Sir Arthur and he had in mind.

Yours ever,

хочет

(P.C.M.Sedgwick).

20

W.S.Carter, Esq., C.V.O.!

Commonwealth Office,

Church House,

Gt. Smith Street,

LONDON, S.W.1.

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No. 63

JUL1967

PCMS/VMH.

TELEPHONE WHITEHALL 01-930-7951

H4D 126

CABLES HONGAID LONDON S.W.I