TNAG-0505-FCO40-570-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 18

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Notes on the meeting held in the Secretary for Social Services's Office at 3.30 p.m. on 18th January, 1974.

Present: Mr. Arnold Smith Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat and his personal assistant Mr. Caffin, Mr. F.K. Li (S. for S.S.), Mr. S.E. Alleyne (P.A.C.S.(S)), Mr. R.G.B. Bridge (D.S.C.S.(1)).

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Mr. Smith explained the background of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (C.F.T.C.) which was set up in 1971 to provide technical assistance in economic and social fields for developing Commonwealth Countries. (See also the attached leaflet on the Fund, the memorandum of understanding setting up the Fund, the report of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting 1965 and the report of the Commonwealth Secretary-General for 1973 tabled by Mr. Smith.)

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The Fund was financed from contributions from Common- wealth Governments. Canada and Britain were the largest contri- butors, and with Australia and New Zealand pledged in all four times the amount contributed by a developing country. Thus there was a large multiplier effect resulting from any contribution from a developing country. If it received back only double its contribution, it would enable other developing countries to benefit also. The annual contribution from a country of one million people, for example Jamaica, was £28,000 while others donated up to £70,000; on the other hand smaller countries such as Fiji paid £14,000. Mr. Smith felt that a contribution of beginning, £28,000, would be a "dignified" one. In response to an enquiry to be werend from S. for 3.S., Mr. Smith said that as far as he could recall eventually to Singapore's contribution was £5,000. It was noted from the too, o tom, review of C.F.T.C. activities that projects in the transport

and engineering fields amounting to £46,000 over a two year period had been approved for Singapore, so that it was getting back far more than its contribution.

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Hong Kong would be able to benefit from joining the fund by having finance provided for consultants and technical experts, arrangements for study tours and in-service attachments for civil servants. For "operational experts" C.F.T.C. practice was to pay the entire cost including overseas allowances etc. on condition that the salary payable at the local level would be reimbursed to the C.F.T.C. In other words, it made up the extra cost involved in employing an expatriate for a job for which a local candidate could not be found. It was pointed out that Hong Kong salaries at this level (e.g. in the case of an airport post at c. £7,000 p.a.) were the same for local staff as for expatriates (except for leave passages) so that little benefit under this scheme would result.

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