TNAG-0534-FCO40-629-UK-aid-to-Hong-Kong-Polytechnic-and-technical-institutions-1975 — Page 224

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XCC(75)8

PIERING I MAAI 12x

· 6 ·

بية

On the basis of the provision for capital works for the universities and Polytechnic in the draft Estimates for 1975-76, 'expenditure in 1976-77 on contracts already let would be about $40 million. In the present economic climate and given the inevitable pressure to restore expendi- ture on other Government services postponed from 1975-76, it would not be advisable to plan for capital expenditure on the universities and Polytechnic in 1976-77 and in 1977-78 at a level higher than the $60 million referred to in paragraph 19.

21

On the recurrent side, it has been necessary to postpone the planned increase of the intake of students for the universities for the academic year starting September 1975.

Proposals

22

These postponements have been introduced in consultation with the Secretary, UPGC, but not, inevitably, with the Committee as a whole. In all the circumstances, it is now proposed to invite the UPGC to recommend:

(a)

how the approved building programmes for the universities and the Polytechnic Phase I, and Phase II for the Polytechnic, should be phased having regard to

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

→

the need to contain capital expenditure on the universities and the Polytechnic in 1975-76 to $81.9 million;

the possibility of alternative temporary accommodation being available to solve the immediate problems deriving from the Polytechnic having to give up its present temporary accommodation;

the need to contain capital expenditure on the universities and the Polytechnic in 1976-77 within $60 million at mid 1974 prices; the need to plan the letting of contracts in such a way that expenditure in 1976-77 could be reduced below this level if necessary on the basis of a decision in February 1976 in the light of the prevailing budgetary circum- stances;

the need, at least for the time being, to maintain expenditure in 1977-78 within

$60 million;

the importance to the economy of meeting the student targets of 8, 000 full time equivalent

in the Polytechnic as soon as possible;

CONFIDENTIAL

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