Telegram sent

J8.2

사ᄋ(2)

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNTIL

EXEMPTION No

UNDER FOI

AND HI

Registry

Мисади бути зби Мустазь ন I will arrange despatch on 9.2,80

(

PS/Mr Blaker

Irikian

30.1.

нкки

KALNIGHTWAY NO.

1 FER 20

HOOR

Анада williant Hill+

you

thepatit phone

OPENING OF THE HONG KONG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (MRT) MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM (MIS)

Problem

св

-9/2.

ام الله

1. HRH Princess Alexandra will open the final stage of the

MIS of the MTR in Hong Kong on 12 February. Should Mr Blaker

send a congratulatory telegram to the Governor on this occasion?

Recommendation

I recommend that Mr Blaker send the Hong Kong Government

telegram along the lines of the attached draft.

Background and Argument

The department has written separately to the Governor

on the general question of goodwill messages on significant

occasions. The MTR, however, stands on its own.

4. The Construction of the MIS is the largest civil engineering

project ever undertaken in Hong Kong. Its inauguration by

HRH Princess Alexandra on 12 February will be a major occasion

for Hong Kong and for the contractors from several countries,

including the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States, who

have built the railway. The MIS has been completed both ahead

of schedule and within the budget. An occasion of such

importance clearly warrants a Ministerial message.

5. I understand the Secretary of State for Trade will probably

send a similar message.

6. P&CD

Blu tome on 8.2.80

Th

Juilcianon

30.180.

R D Clift

29 January 1980

éé Mr Murray

concur.

Hong Kong and General Department

PARB.,

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