PERSONAL
T/S 17/80
- 2
SECRET
19 April 1982
likely attitudes of potential lenders should the 1997 problem not have been resolved at the time finance was being sought will nevertheless require very careful handling. We have not yet considered what specific guidance might be given to the Consultants; that phase of the study will not be undertaken for at least six months.
5.
More generally, the view of most of those concerned here is, as you say, that no decision about a replacement airport should be taken without knowing a great deal more
Indeed than we do now about the prospects for the future. it seems unlikely that we shall want to take a decision in advance of agreement, at least in principle, on satisfactory post-1997 arrangements.
Yours ever, horn.
SECRET
(R JT McLaren )