DF0018/03
00 DT!
COVED IN
GPS 123
CYPHER/CAT A
18 Cuis
FM BTC HONG KONG 0307052
| HKK 21/4
My Rulayem M. Gray
Adinirably
240
NO DISTRIBUTION?
DIL RIDG
CONFIDENTIAL
PA
!
HALLOT
TO IMMEDIATE DTI TELNO CREDA 124 OF 3 OCTOBER.
TRED
FOR SECRETARY OF STATE FROM LORD THORNEYCROFT.
22.x
TERY
crif
M.T.S.
3.
MY READING OF MTS PROPOSITION IS QUITE PLAIN. EITHER THE BRITISK
GROUP ACCEPTS PRINCIPLE OF CEILING PRICE OR IT IS OUT. OTHER
CONSORTIA HAVE ALREADY DONE THIS AND BRITISH GROUP WILL SHORTLY
BE TOLD THAT IT IS ELIMINATED UNLESS IT GOES INTO LINE. I APPRECIATE
THE DIFFICULTY OF THIS PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING BUT THESE ARE THE FACTS OF LIFE. SUGGEST YOU DISCUSS ON THIS BASIS WITH ALDINGTON/WEINSTOCK AND EXPLORE FURTHER THE
POSSIBILITY OF MATCHING BRITISH FINANCES AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
WHERE WE ARE FRONT RUNNERS WITH ITALIAN CIVIL ENGINEERING.
IF BRITISH GROUP REALLY CANNOT FIND A WAY TO CONFORM DO NOT RULE OUT GIVING FULL SUPPORT TO ANGLO/FRANCO/GERMAN CONSORTIUM WHICH WITH YOUR SUPPORT MIGHT SUCCEED. I RECOGNISE THAT THIS IS FAR LESS SATISFACTORY BUT BETTER THAN NOTHING. I HOPE TO DISCUSS THIS TOPIC WITH YOU 9 OCTOBER IN BIRMINGHAM. TIME IS RUNNING OUT FAST FOR
THE DRITISH TO STAY IN THIS RACE.
ASTON
NNNN
SENTAT 03/c801Z RD