CENFO 04/10
PRIORITY
FOLLOWING FROM HONG KONG DATED 10 JAN
CONFIDENTIAL
CHRISTIAN TELEGRAM 37 OF 10 JANUARY
TO :
F.C.O.
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F.C.O. PLEASE PASS TO D.T.1. FOR WATSON (0.P.G.) FROM ASTON. COPY TO E.C.G.D. (FOR COTTERILL), D.T.1. (CRE/2) AND F.C.0. (H.K.1.0.D. AND E.P.D.)
MASS TRANSIT SCHEME
1. IN VIEW OF SPATE OF CONFLICTING STORIES IN ENGLISH AND
CHINESE PRESS ABOUT TIMING AND CONTENT OF STEERING COMMITTEE
REPORT I ASKED JONES ON 9 JANUARY FOR A SITREP WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO TIMING OF ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH BRITISH
GROUP.
2. HE TOLD ME THAT THE TIMETABLE HAS SLIPPED AGAIN AND
CONSIDERATION BY EXCO IS NOT NOW LIKELY BEFORE END OF JANUARY
OR EARLY FEBRUARY. HE DOES NOT ENVISAGE ANY NEED TO ASK FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO HAVE FURTHER TALKS UNTIL AFTER THAT.
3.
REASON IS THAT WRITING OF REPORT IS PROVING MORE
COMPLICATED THAN ENVISAGED. ALTHOUGH A SPECIAL SMALL CORPS HAS BEEN CREATED TO DEAL WITH IT, AND RECENTLY AUGMENTED BY THE ASSISTANT TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER (BUTLER) IT IS HEAVY
GOING. APPARENTLY DRAFTS COMING FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE
NOT SATISFACTORY AND MUCH REDRAFTING IS HAVING TO BE DONE,
ULTIMATELY BY JONES HIMSELF AMONG HIS OTHER, UNRELIEVED,
RESPONSIBILITIES.
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14.