CONFIDENTIAL
6. Sir G Manzie had heard that decisions were due to be taken shortly about the rail link. He understood from Maunsells that the options being considered included abandonment of the rail link and postponement for 15 years as well as postponement for three years. If there were a short postponement it would be sensible to make provision for a rail crossing in the bridge design (as at present); the other options would require a major re-design.
7. All our recent information on the state of play over the airport project (apart from that contained in telegrams concerned with the forthcoming visit to Peking by the team to be led by Mr McLeod) has come from Mr Heap. If the Hong Kong Government are now considering radical options such as the abandonment of the rail link it would be best if we heard it from the horse's mouth. I should be grateful if you could draft a tactful telegram seeking an up-date, perhaps with reference to the need to brief Lord Caithness on his return from the Christmas/New Year break and in advance of his Hong Kong visit.
RJT MCLAREN
NOVABR
CONFIDENTIAL