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Reference............
2/22
Miss Kelly
Cc:
HKIOD
Mr Hammond Finance Dept File DD 42/2
D4
HONG KONG FESTIVAL 1973
1. The Ministry of Defence have telephoned to warn us that the likelihood of RAF aircraft being available to take out the motor cycle team to take part in the Hong Kong Festival is diminishing. If it diminishes to nil the alternatives would be either to cancel the partici- pation of the motor cycle team in the Festival, or to
If resort to civil air charter to get the team there. the team do not go there would still be participation from the UK since arrangements for a band to go are fire If however the team had to go charter, the cost could well be £20,000.
2. Lly immediate response was that given our policy about support for the Festival (which is basically to leave it to the Hong Kong authorities to run) and since the Special Missions Fund for 1973/74 is fairly well used up already, there could be no question of the FCO finding such a sum. I would however be grateful for your early comments on this, since there may be some question of UK-Hong Kong relations which we ought to take into account. I consider however that it would have to be a very weighty factor to justify the spending of such a sum merely to provide larger representation than is already assured.
3.
Comments by end of Thursday 11 October please.
Ralph Sunil биле
RFW Skilbeck Defence Department
9 October 1973
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122
Reference...........
Miss Kelly
wate
cc:
Mr Hammond
S
File DP 42/2
Finance Dept
HONG KONG FESTIVAL 1973
1. The Ministry of Defence have telephoned to warn us that the likelihood of RAF aircraft being available to take out the motor cycle team to take part in the Hong Kong Festival is diminishing. If it diminishes to nil the alternatives would be either to cancel the partici- pation of the motor cycle team in the Festival, or to resort to civil air charter to get the team there. If the team do not go there would still be participation from the UK since arrangements for a band to go are firm. If however the team had to go charter, the cost could well be £20,000.
2*
My immediate response was that given our policy about support for the Festival (which is basically to leave it to the Hong Kong authorities to run) and since the Special Missions Fund for 1973/74 is fairly well used up already, there could be no question of the FCO finding such a sum. I would however be grateful for your early comments on this, since there may be some question of UK-Hong Kong relations which we ought to take into account. I consider however that it would have to be a very weighty factor to justify the spending of such a sum merely to provide larger representation than is already assured.
3.
Comments by end of Thursday 11 October please.
Ralf Smil биле
R F V Skilbeck Defence Department
9 October 1973
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10110
(17293) 897465 400m 1/73 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp 863
HONG KONG STANDARD
AUGUST
25th '73
X
HKK18 ! 1
Arts Festival badly needs
sponsors
A CALL went out yesterday to local businessmen to come forward and support this year's Hongkong Festival.
Speaking at a Lion's Club of Kowloon luncheon, Mr Lionel Strange, executive secretary to the Festival, told Lion members that the Festival cost money. That a Government grant helped to provide this money, but it was not enough.
"Festivals of this size cost a lot of money," hd said. We receive help from the Government and to this we shall add any donations received, the money from ticket sales, and sponsorships from firms, groups and interested organisations.
"We can work out roughly how much money we will gain from ticket receipts, but this will not go anywhere near the total required. Because of this we have to look to the Hongkong businessman for assistance in the firm of sponsorship.
"This is very important because it provides a two-fold benefit. Flist it helps to cover costs, but it also means Involvement and," said Mt Strange, I belleve that involvement to the more important.
"Hongkong is a relatively small place with a polygot population all striving to earn a decent living," he said.
"The fact that many racĖS are resident here and that they live together in comparative harmony is of considerable benefit to the business community."
!
**Therefore such an opportunity as the forthcoming festival should be welcomed by the business 'community a* vehicle for their support.” he said.
The Government has so far subsidised the Festival to the amount of $3 million. "But,” Mr Strange said, more financial help is needed to promote the
Festival which will include 700 items.
"The Festival is a massive community project whose aim is simply to provide a period of interest, relaxation and enjoyment for the whole
community” he said.
"This is a worthy cause that deserves the support of the business community."
•
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