+
CONFIDENTIAL
HKIGO
cc 5.45./
K
lette- to Ps/n-Walker P5/12-Rayle
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN
AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
HONG KONG MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM
Thank you
for). (fits o
I hope that thi
6-longing
Messiah
AVE.
26/10
311/E
You are quite right to think that the British element in the
Anglo-Italian consortium have, until the latest exchanges
with the Governor, preferred to state a belief that political
arguments would sway the contract their way even if they had
made less effort than your and my advisers thought necessary
to put in a valid counter to the Japanese pre-emptive bid.
Fortunately the reality now seems clear to them. They are
meeting with the Italians in London today and expect to send
a team to Hong Kong on Wednesday next armed with, I hope and
trust, sufficient authority to put in a counter proposal to the
Japanese which will justify the Executive Council keeping
the competition open. I have informed the Governor.
things stand I think there is no need for you or I to talk to
Sir Arnold Weinstock.
As
I am copying this minute to the Prime Minister and to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sims
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
1 VICTORIA STREET
LONDON SW1H OET
CONFIDENTIAL
PETER WALKER
26 November,
1973