achieve?
CONFIDENTIAL
the Chinese that collaboration on a joint venture basis with the UK is either necessary or desirable. A wider deal with the French may however be possible who wish to establish a preferred position for a nuclear station in Korea
but would appear to need collaboration with a firm such as GEC for the
supply of the turbine generator. A trade off of advantages leading to collaboration in these two markets in therefore a possibility.
9.
Thus at this stage the French certainly appear to be the preferred partner in the joint venture. Such collaboration would be perfectly consistent with the stance taken by the Secretaries of State for Industry and Energy.
In discussions with M. Giraud, both stated that while collaboration on the UKs
domestic nuclear programme was not possible that did not preclude collaboration
in third markets. The possibility for international collaboration was also men- tioned by Mr Howell during questions on his nuclear power statement in the House of Commons on 18 December 1979.
10.
To maintain the maximum potential for the supply of UK hardware, the UK would aim to assume)overall project leadership with the NPC probably assuming a project management role. NPC have proposed to the Chinese that they be appointed Managing Agent. The Chinese at this stage prefer one organisation to assume total responsibility for the project and although the UK could not assume responsibility for the nuclear steam supply system, overall project direction would probably fulfill the Chinese requirement.