Reference......
R with ©
Mr. Carter
I have spoken to Miss Durbin about her minute and the ODM draft circular about future development aid to the dependent territories.
It
2. In its present form it would be inappropriate I think, to address despatch direct to Hong Kong. For one thing we know that while her finances remain as strong as at present, Hong Kong is unlikely to benefit from development aid funds. is true that there is a sum of money set aside for expenditure on University development and Higher Education, but Hong Kong has not used this and the burden of the circular being that applications for aid will in future be considered within the framework of the territories overall development policy and programme, it does not seem likely that Hong Kong will apply. On the other hand Miss Durbin says that in spite of the wording of paragraph 4 of the draft despatch, if Hong Kong were to need funds she would not have to draw up a development programme overall but only to the extent at a particular University or other Higher Education project were concerned.
3. I think that Hong Kong should be sent a copy of the circular, perhaps under a covering letter explaining - tactfully of course, because Hong Kong cannot be expected to relish the fact that she is not considered eligible for aid that it is of little direct relevance but might be a useful guide to procedure if in the future she wanted to draw these educational funds.
4.
-
In these circumstances my only comment on the draft is on paragraph 3. If I understand the meaning of that paragraph correctly, the second sentence might be omitted altogether or perhaps reworded "The complexity of the old procedures was a consideration against the extension of the Acts."
5.
If you agree I will reply accordingly to Miss Durbin.
1 January 1969
I agree
(H. H. Stewart) Hong Kong Department
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.