TNAG-2764-FCO40-3981-UK-Hong-Kong-Scholarship-Scheme-donation-to-the-UK-Governme-1993 — Page 84

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Miss Saunders?

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HAB 28.5/1

TO

RECE: INREGISTRY

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG.

FM FCO

TELNO 121

OF 12170OZ FEB 93

INDSA

-9 MAR 1993

:1

PA

RECISTRY

AGun Taken

COPY T?

18

160747

MDHOAN 8774

PERSONAL FOR DINHAM FROM RICKETTS, HKD

JOINT FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME: LINE TO TAKE FOR EXCO 16 FEBRUARY

1.

We are still discussing the terms of a reply to your letter of 23 December and hope to let you have our considered views shortly. Meanwhile if ExCo ask if our contribution can be guaranteed you may deploy the following line:

QUOTE

In the current financial climate no UK Government department can give cast iron guarantees on funding but the FCO attaches great importance to the Joint Funding Scheme and it is certainly our intention to continue to contribute. UNQUOTE

2.

If you thought it would be helpful you could add that HMG would have no difficulty with a gradual and orderly phase-out of the scheme. For your own information, we continue to hold out for a final phase-out in 1997, while others here would prefer to begin the draw-down in 1993/94 ending in 1996.

HURD

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

13

HKD

CRD

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DISTRIBUTION

13

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