TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 59

SECRET

-2-

Overseas Students' Fees

1

5.

The Cabinet Office is convening a meeting of officials on

24 October to consider the question of concessions for students

from Dependent Territories and poorer Commonwealth countries

D

(Mr Macrae's submission to Lord N Gordon Lennox).

Meanwhile,

the Governor has suggested a joint UK/Hong Kong shceme to subsidise

E

Hong Kong students here (Sir E Youde's talk with the Governor on

6 October).

E

G

$

6. Hong Kong figures for student visas suggest that there is

already a marked shift in applications to study in the UK: around

42% fewer students of all sorts applied for the UK during June/

September this year than for the corresponding period last year,

while applications for Canada rose by around 52%.

Defence Costs Agreement

7.

A new Defence Costs Agreement was signed on 10 October by

Mr Hayhoe and the Governor. The main provisions are an increase

of more than 50% in Hong Kong's contribution to the cost of the

garrison, with no staging of the payments, and the enlargement

of the garrison by one battalion and supporting elements. Further

details are in Hong Kong telegram No 282 to Peking.

Governor's Visit

His

8. The Governor will be in the UK from 2 to 11 November.

'programme as arranged so far is attached. It includes an

appointment with Mr Blaker at 3.00 pm on Thursday, 6 November.

The Secretary of State is giving the Governor lunch on Monday,

3 November. Mr Blaker is invited.

22 October 1980

cc Sir E Youde

town

RD Clift

Hong Kong and General Department SECRET