TNAG-0177-FCO40-213-Proposed-Polytechnic-1969 — Page 117

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Mr. Carter

Note of a Meeting between Mr. Humphrey Atkins, MP, Mr. G. Campbell. MP. and Lord Shepherd at 5.00 pm

on Thursday, 6 February

Mr. Atkins and Mr. Campbell called on Lord Shepherd this afternoon to report on their recent visit to Hong Kong. They covered roughly the same ground as their colleagues, Messrs. Royle and Bryant, who called on the Minister of State this morning.

2. The main topics discussed were the Tunnel project and the extension to the Kai Tak airport. In regard to the former, Lord Shepherd said that contrary to stories being spread in Hong Kong the French had not signed any undertaking to finance this project. The present position was that ECGD were having another look at this. The possibility of a joint venture between the British and French should not be ruled out; but it was too early to say at this stage. On the extension of the

Kai Tak airport, Lord Shepherd spoke along the lines recommended in your note of today's date. Both MPs expressed the hoped that a way would be found to enable the project to be started.

3. Mr. Atkins said that he approved of the proposal to appoint an Ombudsman in Hong Kong, but thought that the Governor would have to be "pushed" before the proposal could be launched.

Notwithstanding his own support for such an appointment his own view was that an Ombudsman should not deal in any way with corruption cases.

4. Mr. Atkins said that although there had been some improvement in the field of technical education there was a need for a specialist from the United Kingdom to visit the colony to advise on technical education generally.

/5.