Our reference:
01/1(..)
Your reference: 022 300
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG 7th Floor, Shell House, Queen's Road, Central, HONG KONG Mail Address: P.O. Box No. 528, Hong Kong Cable Address: "Uktrade Hongkong" Telephone- 230176
5/5
(versels broject Group
1
urt..ont of Brade
. Victoria strect
Ionion .1 CLA
RECEIVED IN
REGIST
0.61
29 .pril 1975
5 MAY 1975
434
Low Fany,
long long maso Transit.
Thank you for your letter OPG 300 of 17 April. I am not surprised at the Governor's reaction at the meeting you arranged 1le he was in London. I underutend he came under a good deal 02
ressure at a very ligh level during the first round and he is icularly sensitive (Perhaps unduly sensitive) to ang Love, Lowever informal, to involve him in ozy way. The hard foot of the latter are that the overment has talion a decision to try once again, this time on a multi-contract basis. Whatever Dritiel finis Ley feel about the way they were treated last ti...c
Matever revery Ations they may have about multi-contracts, Toroi finis involved in the first round have been prepared to come in again on the termo stipulated by the Provisional Luthority CATO can not see that the long long fovernment or the Luthority could be persuaded to clange tile conditions yet again without completely destroying their credibility,
2. I four we shell probably have to write off the civil contructora. . I cnplained in my letter of 25 .pril to Joyce,
tldik there may be rather more to their attitude then wozli in the Middle Lavt and doubt about the viability of the project. lcony, the Chairman and Lanaging Mirector of Balfour Beatty: Calrod to see me to day. Le confined that Coctains' experience wit. the Gross Harbour Tunnel had largely influenced the Brition. attitudo. Le made the point that turnelling is difficule any here and ground conditions, however much ilonation is available, can be very unpredictable. Jlaim tule time to adjudicate and pay out and this is an important consideration in times of inflation.
civil contractors
3.
On the J wide things look, as you say, somewhat more Madiny and I arrce that we will probably have to focus our
Toe on this fucet, particul.rly the rolling stock contact. „Am concern has bech to try to ensure that fins at least Me trouble to register, which neither costo nor ccide to mything. Ele va have not cucecoded with the civil.,
OC.01E IN OLJIHOL
/we
ise., edert is made to envire that the information given hertin is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions m that i... rination and po reinensibiuty is accesiva in regard to the standing of any firms, companies or individuais mentioned.