Paragraphs 12 and 13
6.
-
Proposal 3 is that the UK should provide technicians to work in Hong Kong to teach Hong Kong industry new manufacturing techniques. Miss Welch suggests that such a technician or technicians might be provided under Technical Assistance. This, I think, raises three queries. Firstly and this is for DTI we must consider whether this is a practicable proposition. Personally, I doubt it. Mr Aston concedes that British industry would be unlikely to give technological assistance to the Hong Kong textile industry and would presumably include the closely allied garment-making industry in this. This reduces the likely advantage to Hong Kong considerably. In addition, we should need to exclude electronics since this industry is mainly in the hands of foreign controlled firms. The major firms in the plastics industry are also advanced. As I see it this really gets us down to a large number of very small firms in the less important industries. Technological advance in these industries is, I suspect, largely governed by lack of capital, personal managerial control and other considerations. Although their cumulative effect on the Hong Kong economy may be sizeable it would require inordinate effort to raise their individual standards. Secondly, the cost is likely to be high. I would think that such a technician would need several months solely to isolate the industries and factories where such technical help could be useful. Where would he draw the line? One would have to think of return air fares amounting to over £500 (and on the lines of the inspection made by Mr Sawyer of the British Standards Institute in 1970 into export possibilities for British industry any man sent for this purpose should return to the UK for a brief spell every 3 months). In addition there will be at least £10 a day subsistence. In respect of minor factories in the less important industries, would such expenditure be worth while? of these firms would then be willing or able to finance a technical assistance trainer? Thirdly, it would be necessary to obtain Hong Kong Government backing for such a project before we went to ODA for an allocation of money for this purpose. Once again, with respect, I think Mr Aston has not thought this suggestion through to a point where we can usefully consider it.
Paragraphs 14 and 15
Which
7. Proposal 4 is for British industry to offer a technician to the Polytechnic. Miss Welch has minuted that Mr Aston is incorrect in suggesting that this was a proposal by Mr Bodanski of GKN. The DTI do not see much prospect of industry taking this on. Neither do I. In her minute, Miss Welch suggests that this might be a matter for Technical Assistance. I doubt if ODA would consider the high cost of financing a senior post in the Polytechnic as one which could be justified for payment from Technical Assistance funds even were wę, to press it.
/In any
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.