TNAG-0437-FCO40-502-Visits-of-UK-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 14

4.

re HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES OFFICE

It is worth recording, if only to emphasise the conversion from a relative- Anglophobe, the extent of interest and range of enquiries received from the Director of Hong kong Government Supplies. The comment was made that as a result of closer links between DHSS and the Government Supplies Office since 1971, purchases from UK through the Supplies Office had increased and that in 1973, 70 per cent of all purchases were from UK sources. Whilst this is very encouraging, one should not lose sight of the fact that many of the items ordered are of a routine and household nature and that many other purchases of more sophisticated instrumentation are made direct from the manufacturer or through local agents (but see para 7.3). Aspects covered, included:

4.1.1. the possibility of purchasing supplies of human albumin and olood

fractions from UK

4.1.2.

alternatives to disinfectants in the white phenolic field at

present being used:

4.1.3. UK manufacturers of surgical sutures:

4.1.4.

detailed information on ICI disposable forceps. Previously, the only disposable forceps known to the Supplies Office were of Japanese (and Chinese ?) manufacture and were considered poor quality. Those marketed by ICI were thought to be of a high standard and instructions were given to obtain a large quote in the near future:

4.1.5. possibility of conversion of hospital beds made in the Colony to the type favoured by the Kings Fund in UK:

4.1.6.

latest developments in beds for the treatment of burns:

4.1.7. the subject of central laundries was again raised and it is clear that much of the credit for the Hong Kong interest must go to

Mr T W Bridges, Laundry Engineer, DHSS whose brief visit to the Colony at the beginning of 1974 has obviously 'sparked off' considerable thought.

The two manufacturers preferred by the authorities were Baker Perkins Jaxons Ltd and Neil & Spencer Ltd, and both were subsequently alerted to the possibilities over the next few years.

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