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HKK 22/5
CONFIDENTIAL
Brief No
Secretary of State's Visit to Hong Kong
February, 1972
Loan for Kai Tak Airport
Background
totalling ₤24 million
In March 1967 Hong Kong asked for grant aid A for the extension of Kai Tak Airport runway. totalling
£24 million. In July 1968 this application was
replaced by one for a loan for £6 million to cover
the full cost as it was then estimated. (In
September 1970, the Governor informed us that the
cost had increased to £11 million).
2. The original case for financial assistance was
refused by ODM, the Board of Trade and the
Treasury on the grounds that, as compared with
other applicants, Hong Kong was too wealthy to
warrant assistance. No formal reply was given
sard
He
to Hong Kong but, during a visit there in April 1970,
the then Secretary of State stated that, in view of
current economic difficulties, the UK had to
watch very carefully any overseas investment.
did not, however, rule out the possibility of a
contribution and promised the matter would be
reviewed in 1971. In September, 1970, the
Governor asked for a definite answer but, during
his visit to Hong Kong in October 1970, Mr Royle
could go no further than to say that the question
was being examined. (The Governor had previously
been told that it was only in the FCO that there
had been any support for his case).
CONFIDENTIAL
/The present
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