TNAG-1160-FCO40-1440-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 155

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THE BRITISH COUNCIL

10 Spring Gardens London SW1A 2BN telephone 01-930 8466

from The Director-General Sir John Burgh KCMG CB

Lord Nicholas Gordon Lennox CMG MVO Superintending Under Secretary Cultural Relations Department Foreign & Commonwealth Office Government Offices Great George Street London

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I recently had a word with John Coles about the Prime Minister's forthcoming visit to the Far East and asked if she might have time to see something of our operations in Hong Kong. Though her programme there is very busy John did not rule out the possibility, and I am writing to ask that it should be considered in the preparation of her programme.

There are two principal reasons why we would particularly value an opportunity to show the Prime Minister our work in Hong Kong. In the first place she would be able to see the largest English language teaching operation we have anywhere in the world with 12,000 students and 120 teachers. We think the Prime Minsiter would find it impressive. Secondly, our Hong Kong operation is unique in being funded entirely from revenue; not only does it make no call on Government funds (thus enabling us to spread our resources elsewhere) but it also pays from revenue for a range of programmes in Hong Kong which we would not otherwise be able to finance: in particular for the assistance the Council gives the Government of Hong Kong in teacher training, and a lively arts programme.

We are confident therefore that the Prime Minister would find a visit to our office worthwhile and interesting if it can be accommodated in her programme.

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I am sending John Coles a copy of this letter.

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