CONFIDENTIAL.
NOTE OF A MEETING WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (UMELCO)
ON THURSDAY, 5 JUNE, 1969.
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9. On the question of technical education Sir Albert Rodrigues asked what the U.K. Government could do to · help in getting technical education in Hong Kong properly established? His own view was that there were two ways in which Britain could help: firstly in the supply of "know-how", and secondly by providing machines for training purposes. In regard to the first point he thought that there were many experts in British polytechnics who might be persuaded to come to Hong Kong to help.
10. Lord Shepherd said that he was convinced that technical education was vital to the Colony's industrial growth. He had spoken very frankly the other day about Britain's economic position;' but this did not mean that Britain could not help with less dramatic forms of aid. Britain would do its best to provide experienced and suitable staff and teachers for the colleges. There was, however, in the U.K. a problem over brain-drain. It was essential therefore that any requests for "key" staff should be submitted well in advance if there was to be any reasonable prospect of providing men at the right time. In short, some far- sighted planning was required.
11. On technical education generally he would like to say two things. First, it seemed to him that the present programme in the Colony was both inadequate in terms of the needs of the students themselves and also industry. Secondly, he thought that there was a wider aspect which ought to be considered. This wider aspect had both political and security implications. A day or so ago he had seen one of the resettlement areas where much had been done to improve housing conditions. But he was horrified at the psychological problems which were likely to be created by the living conditions in the new estates. estates were "concrete jungles". He doubted whether the admirable proposals for additional amenities, for
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