is to purchase a further 60,000 titles by July 1976. The proposed library
grant will provide about 70,000 80,000 volumes. This together with the
books and journals of British origin purchased from Polytechnic funds will
ensure that British technology is kept to the fore.
24.
Plans for the development of the Polytechnic include a considerable
increase in the use of audio/visual aids and the introduction of training in
Metrology and it is hoped to purchase equipment of this nature with the grant.
It is hoped that the new metrology laboratory will be fully equipped with
British equipment at a cost of approximately £110,000. About £12,000 will
be spent on audio/visual aids and £41,000 on printing and book binding
equipment. The proposals for equipment are considered to be reasonable.
V.
POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS
25. In 1972, when our agreement to provide this grant was formally
announced, we were going through a particularly difficult time in our relations
with Hong Kong. The Governor had advised that Hong Kong had a political
need for outward and visible signs of a special and beneficial relationship
with the United Kingdom and it was recognised that carefully selected aid
TAKE IN SLIP could meet this need. Apart from the political case there was also a strong
commercial case in that the United Kingdom share of the large Hong Kong
market had dropped to 8%. A number of large government contracts chiefly
the Mass Transit Contract for an underground railway, were in the offing
and competition between the United Kingdom and Japanese manufacturers was
strong; it was thought that the climate of feeling towards Britain could be a
significant factor in tipping the balance. In the event, however, the
Japanese were able to offer a fixed price for the Mass Transit Contract and
despite strenuous efforts by all concerned to keep Britain in the running,
this was not possible.
VI.
FINANCE
26.
As previously indicated a grant of £500,000 has been approved at
/Ministerial
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.