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HKK 173/1
19 JAN:3
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PA Action Taken
INDEX
No
TO IMMEDIATE DOT TELNO CREDA 19 OF 16 JANUARY 1978
INFO IMMEDIATE E C G D (FOR COTTERILL)
FOR LIGHTMAN, CRE4.
YOUR CREDA 2 OF 6 JANUARY. VISIT OF GARDINER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OF THE LAIRD GROUP..
THIS VISIT WENT WELL AND GARDINER WAS PLEASED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE LENGTHY TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR, FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF MTR.
2. ONE SATISFACTORY OUTCOME WAS THAT MTR HAVE ASKED METRO-CAMMELL TO SUBMIT NEW BID FOR SALE OF 60 FURTHER RAIL CARS ON WHICH MTR
HAVE AN OPTION UNTIL 31 MARCH. IMPORTANCE OF THIS OPTION IS THAT
IT REDUCES ATTRACTIVENESS FOR OUR COMPETITORS OF SECOND STAGE
REQUIREMENT OF ONLY 160 RAIL CARS.
3. GARDINER PLANS TO CALL ON SIR LEO PLIATZKY TODAY (JANUARY 16)
TO EMPHASISE NEED FOR EXTENSION OF ECGD'S ESCALATION COVER SCHEME
IN RESPECT OF THE OPTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REMINDING THOMPSON
THAT WE ARE READY TO MATCH ANY FINANCING OFFERS WHICH HE MIGHT
RECEIVE FROM GERMAN OR JAPANESE COMPETITORS FOR THE SECOND STAGE.
4. WE DO NOT YET KNOW WHAT CURRENCY THOMPSON WILL PREFER FOR
STAGE 2 BUT THIS MAY BECOME CLEARER DURING HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT
TO LONDON. DUE TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AT THIS END, THOMPSON
HAS HAD TO POSTPONE HIS JOURNEY UNTIL AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
HE WILL NOW BE IN UK THE WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY FEBRUARY 20 AND HOPES IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR THE LUNCH WITH YOU AND ECGD TO BE HELD ON THAT DAY. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTACT REMAIN AS IN MY CREDA
6 OF 6 JANUARY.