TNAG-0579-FCO40-712-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 141

C

SECRET

Reference.

•

for calendar rather than financial years and direct comparison is therefore impossible without a more detailed breakdown of figures. The two sets do not, however, seem markedly different. As to (b) there is a difference of degree: in the Planning Paper the proposal is for a raising of domestic rents by 25%. No figure is given in the Governor's speech where the proposals appear somewhat diluted. This is because he has run into some opposition in Hong Kong.. A "leak" by the Housing Department has made it clear that the maximum increase will be 20% but that most increases will be between 10% and 15%.

(5) EDUCATION

A Governor's Speech:

B

(pp 10-12)

દ

b

provision of educational television;

10,000 full-time and equivalent part-time polytechnic students by 1977/78; 11,400 full-time and equivalent part-time polytechnic students by 1980/81; 8,800 students at Hong Kong University and the Chinese University by end of 1978; 10,300 students at Hong Kong University and the Chinese University by end of 1981.

Overlap:

a

b

} '

secondary school places for all 12-14 year olds by 1980;

secondary school places in September 1978 for all that year's primary school leavers (i.e. 12-13 year olds); plans to be drawn up for the provision, of free and assisted secondary school places for a further 11% of the 15-16 age group (note: an "assisted" place is a place in a private school paid for by the government); d working party drawing up report on balance of post-

junior secondary education.

C

Planning Paper:

D

Comment:

Hong Kong is at present doing, vis-à-vis the Planning Paper at least as much as can reasonably be expected, though there appears to be a discrepancy between the timings of B(b) and the Planning Paper talks of "subsidised (and, where necessary, free)" secondary education, not just "assissed" education.

3

CDFBR