TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 65

an educational allowance for Government officers.

It was also

announced that a new scheme for the remission of fees was under

consideration.

6. In November the whole question was considered by the

The present position is as follows

Governor-in-Council.

7.

(a)

A Select Committee of the Legislative Council

has been appointed to enquire into the costs of

operating the English schools and to report not

later than 31 March 1972.

(b) The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council

has approved the payment of a subsidy to the

English schools at the higher level for a further

year. This means that the higher fees will not be

introduced until 1 September 1972.

(c) The proposed educational allowance and the new

scheme for the remission of fees will be further

considered when the report of the Select Committee

is available.

This is a potentially explosive issue but it seems unlikely

that it will be brought up by anybody during the Secretary of

State's visit. If it is raised, the Secretary of State could

say that he understands that a Select Committee of the

Legislative Council has been appointed to enquire into the costs

of operating the English schools and that in the meantime there

is no intention of introducing the higher fees.

Hong Kong Department

February 1972

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