TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 25

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CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 0263

RECEIVED A REGISTRY AU.

1 1 NOV 1980

MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG : 5 NOVEMBER 1980

مدين

Present

長い

12. AW 12/1

The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington

KCMG MC

Sir E Youde KCMG MBE

Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO

Mr G G H Walden

Mr R D Clift

Mr R M J Lyne

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581

OVERSEAS STUDENTS' FEES

1.

Sir Murray MacLehose asked whether the Secretary of State was prepared to make the case to his colleagues for the restitution of home student equivalent status to students from Dependent Territories.

2.

Lord Carrington said that he would but he was not optimistic about the outcome. He mentioned the competing claims of, for example, small Commonwealth countries such as Barbados. He would like to use aid funds, but these were heavily over-

subscribed.

3.

Sir E Youde said that Treasury approval for the use of aid funds would be necessary because Hong Kong did not normally qualify for aid. There was little likelihood of new money being available from central funds. A departmental working group was preparing a paper on the Dependent Territories' case which could go to Ministers within about 6 weeks.

4.

Sir M MacLehose said that it would at least be helpful to be able to tell Unofficials in Hong Kong confidentially that the Secretary of State had tried his hardest for them. 5. Lord Carrington asked whether Hong Kong could find the money on their own. Sir M MacLehose said they could. It would be greatly preferable to have a shared scheme with a contribution by HMG, which might amount to about £750,000. But if not, Hong Kong would have to go it alone. It was agreed that the Governor would be informed as soon as possible of Ministers' decision on the Dependent Territories' case. Hong Kong would need to decide on the next steps there by February.

CONFIDENTIAL

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