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4.
Hong Kong's need is a desperate one and I am convinced that we should respond positively to this request. The Governor's Private Secretary telephoned Hong Kong Department this morning to ask that if at all possible the tents should reach them over the weekend. hope we can pull out all the stops to meet this request.
5.
I understand from contacts with your officials that the quantity and type of tents required would be available at short notice and that the approximate cost, freight to Hong Kong, would be of the order of £250,000. Given the urgent humanitarian requirement, and the potential threat to life arising from this critical situation, I believe this would be a suitable call on ODA's disaster funds. I very much hope that you can agree to authorise the immediate disbursement of the necessary funds.
6. I am acutely aware of the drain on your resources imposed by the situation in Hong Kong. As you know, Geoffrey Howe will be writing shortly to the Chief Secretary to flag up the possibility that exceptional funding may well be required. But I am afraid that we could not expect to secure Treasury approval for this emergency requirement for tents within the necessary timescale.
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GLENARTHUR
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