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Mr. Stewart
Onjual a HKIL
18/22
анки
Mr. Burr's letter is a depressing indication of the ODM's increasing concentration on "aid" rather than "development" and of the narrow criteria by which they judge where their responsibilities now lie. It is most regrettable that they should have decided to aim at reducing, if not eliminating, all technical assistance to Hong Kong and equally regrettable that we should hear about this for the first time in this way.
2. I can see the cold logic of the argument that when former Colonial Office Advisers now on the staff of the ODM are sent to dependent territories other than in the interests of the ODM then the F.C.O. should pay their travelling expenses. But it is a far cry from the sort of helpful contribu- tion to the good administration of those territories that we have been able to rely on in the past from the ODM. I suppose we must remain thankful that we are not being asked to contribute to their salaries, superannuation, etc for the period they are on loan to us!
3. I can see no case for the F.C.0. sponsoring Kr. Prosser's proposed visit. This is again the first we have heard of his proposed trip, and we have not been given any reasons for it. It is the case that Hong Kong is embarking on the introduction of a public assistance scheme and have tentatively asked us to explore the possibilities of finding an expert to advise on the scope of the scheme and the necessary administrative machinery, the anticipated assignment being of 4-6 months duration. But this in itself is not a reason for a visit from the Social Welfare Adviser although a visit might help him to get a clearer idea of the right sort of expert for Hong Kong's need.
4. Nor am I prepared to ask Hong Kong whether they would like to pay for the visit (as you have suggested). They would probably react very sharply on the principle involved; and I suspect that if we mentioned his possible usefulness in connection with the Public Assistance Scheme they would with equal sharpness say that his is not the sort of advice they are looking for on this matter.
5. Because of the wider implications of Mr. Burr's letter for us, I suggest that before these papers are returned to EOD a copy of it (together with the attached copy of my minute) should be placed on appropriate HKD papers. I would then like to consider whether I make a fight for the continua- tion of a token measure of technical assistance on political grounds (and hell to their "aid principles"!)
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(W. S. Carter)
9 May, 1969
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