TNAG-0485-FCO40-550-UK-publications-on-labour-and-social-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 96

CASE TO ANSWER

CROSS HARBOUR

TUNNEL

(p.23)

I am bound to say that I find this a disappointing

document disappointing in that so much obvious

effort has been devoted to researching background

material, but this has then been twisted and

manipulated to suit a biassed and partisan argument

which does scant justice to the post-war record

of the Government and people of Hong Kong.

For example, much play is made about the size of

our sterling balances when, in fact, Hong Kong's

official U.K. reserves amount to no more than

50% of the Colony's annual expenditure.

Again, there are frequent references to the Colony's

deplorable record in social services when, in fact,

38% of our current budget is devoted to housing,

education, medical and welfare services, and another

28% to essential community services such as roads,

water and fire services. The Government is budgeting

for a deficit this year, but is spending more money

than ever before on building new towns, new communications

and new public services such as mass transit and new

water schemes.

The pamphlet equally ignores the fact that since

1953 Government has already become landlord to

nearly half the population, and that vast plans are

already in hand to modernise and improve the living

conditions of these tenants.

.../.