Ed (2829)
Reference..
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Sir Arthur Galsworthy
I believe I sent to you or to someone in
your Division a copy of a letter I wrote upon
my return from Hong Kong to Sir A. Percival of ECGD about the proposed cross harbour tunnel.
I now attach a copy of a letter I have had
from ECGD.
I rather fear that if the views of
Mr. Cotterill prevail Costains will lose this
contract.
If the ECGD argument is correct that the
effect of the modifications to the Costain tender
which the Cross Harbour Tunnel Company are
seeking would be to leave ECGD carrying the risks without being responsible for the management, would it not be worth while having another go at persuading the Hong Kong Government themselves.
either to bear a greater part of the risk or to
give some guarantee? The alternative in
paragraph 15 of the ECGD letter that any assistance provided in respect of this tunnel
should in effect count against the aid ceiling
seems to me to be a complete non-starter.
What I do not know is whether the Japanese
competitors of Costains are asking for joint
and several guarantees such as ECGD are
demanding from the Cross Harbour Tunnel
Company.
There is I think nothing I can do about
this except put my own views to you and act as
a post office. But if you want me to do anything more please let me know. Mr. Montague, the
chairman of the Asia Committee of the BNEC has
been badgering me about this tunnel.
بيكس
A.W. Snelling
28 March, 1967