PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
However if we are to bring all these factors to bear on the successful negotiation of a joint venture with our Chinese friends, I think we must begin to coordinate more closely the great efforts which have been made over the past months. I of course recognise that you must at this stage concentrate on convincing the Guangdong Electric Company that CLP are concerned only with the long-term interests of the Hong Kong consumer of electricity as to the cost, security and safety of supply rather than with wider issues which are properly the concern of the United Kingdon and Hong Kong Governments. But if we are to keep our efforts closely coordinated during the next stage, I believe it is essential: that at least one of the two remaining places on the CLP side of the Steering Working Committee should be reserved for our nominee. It would of course nced to be someone of repute in whom both CLP and HMG could have full confidence.
Someone with. practical experience of nuclear
power projects who also fully understands the intricacies of nuclear policy in all its various aspects is required and I am sounding out a few people who might be willing to play a fairly active part. Such an addition should also strengthen your team. In addition I think it will be necessary for there to be someone capable of watching over the wider issues involved. If Thomson, for example, was present at the meetings of the Working Party this could possibly facilitate approval by HMG and HKG. The Chinese might equally care to send a representative to report direct to Peking. All parties would then be kept in the picture.
I agree that we should continue to keep in touch through the good offices of Derek March at the Trade Commission but if it would help to have a word on the telephone I shall make myself available. I shall in any case hope to discuss these important issues with Bill Stones when he comes to London in early January and I myself hope to come out to Hong Kong in the middle of February to attend the formal opening of the Mass Transit Railway.
Yours sincerely,
John
I thought you might also find it useful to have a full text of this week's ministerial statement in the House of Commons about our future nuclear power programme. You will note that there are plans to combine the NNC and the NPC in a single organisation.
(D M March)