Our reference: CR.259743. Your reference:
BY BAG
COMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
BOARD OF TRADE
Commercial kelations and Exports Department
1 Victoria Street, LONDON S.W.1 Telex: 25955 Answer Back: BOTHQ LONDON
Telegrams: Advantage London S.W.1
Telephone: 01-222 7877, ext.
1314
February 1969.
за
I recently received a telephone call from David Gracie of International Computers Limited, rutney, (ex-Diplomatic Service and Board of Trade. He told me that a number of tenders for computers for the Fublic Sector in Hong Kong are about to be called. In particular he mentioned the Treasury (which is to be called very shortly), Police (tenders in March to be awarded in June), University. Chinese University and the Immigration Department. I.C.L. expect their main competition to come from National Cash Register although they are confident that, taking into consideration the standard of their equipment, they are competitive and that on the servicing side they have a big advantage. (No doubt .C.. think differently!).
The main purpose of David Gracie's call was to discover whether there are any written or unwritten rules in the Hong Kong Government which stipulate that wherever possible purchases should be placed in the United Kingdom. I said that so far as I was aware there were no written instructions but I suspected that, all things being equal, the Hong Kong Government would show a preference towards the United Kingĉan. I realise that where technical considerations may play a large part in a decision the question of equality is one open to many interpretations and I said that it is important that I.C.L. ensure that their promotion is effective and that they offer competitive terms. I suggested that to obtain confiration of my views their local representative should discuss the matter with you.
I am, therefore, writing to put you on notice that you will probably receive an approach from the I.C.L. Representative, if you have not already done so, and also to ask if you wo ld confirm that my understanding concerning public sector purchases generally is correct. For example do they always go out to international tender for major purchases and is any preference shown for purchases from the United Kingdom even if they are slightly more expensive?
With refe ence 1.C.L.'s activities in Hong Kong you should also see the letter (not copied) from largery Doyle to Mark Goodfellow about Mr. Jackson's recent approach to us. It ap cars that the left hand does not always know what the right hand is doing in industry either!
I am sending a copy of this letter to Herbert Stewart (FCO), J. E. Sellars (Fintech) and J. Brown (3B).
Yours sincerely,
M. . V. Hannam, Esq.,
Principal British Trade Commissioner, British Trade Commission,
Hong Kong
(J. E. Gowers)
95