CONFIDENTIAL
062116
MDHIAN 4508
QUALIFIED WHO HAVE HITHERTO REFRAINED FROM APPLYING TO DO SO:
C. AN EXTENSION WOULD DELAY THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN THE EXTENDED PERIOD WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER WITH THOSE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE. ANY SUCH DELAY MIGHT CAUSE APPLICANTS TO TAKE UP OTHER OPTIONS, THEREBY DEFEATING THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME: AND FINALLY
D. AN EXTENSION WOULD PRODUCE SOME VERY BAD PUBLICITY. IT WOULD BE SEEN AS DELIBERATELY TRAWLING FOR MORE APPLICATIONS: AN ADMISSION OF FAILURE OF THE SCHEME AS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED: AND AS THROWING DOUBT ON ANY FUTURE DEADLINE.
8. FAR BETTER, IF APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE BELOW THE QUOTA NUMBER, TO STAND FIRM ON THE POSITION THAT THE VIRTUE OF THE SCHEME IS THAT THE OPTION HAS BEEN AVAILABLE. IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO INDIVIDUALS THEMSELVES WHETHER THEY WISH TO TAKE IT UP: HMG IS NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF TRAWLING. THEN TRANSFER ANY SPARE QUOTA TO THE SECOND TRANCHE.
FINANCE
9. WE ESTIMATE THAT WE WOULD BREAK EVEN WITH 33,000 APPLICATIONS AND BELIEVE THAT THE CHANCES OF US NOT REACHING THIS FIGURE ARE VERY SLIGHT. IF NECESSARY, WE WOULD ADJUST OUR STAFF RESOURCES. SO WE DO NOT SEE ANY BUDGETARY PROBLEM.
10. WE ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND PROPOSE TO SEND YOU A DAILY REPORT UP TO THE END OF THE MONTH ON APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. THE REPORT FOR 19 FEBRUARY IS BEING FAXED TO YOU TODAY.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
18
LIMITED
HKD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
DISTRIBUTION
20
PAGE
MR MCLAREN
MR BURNS
3
CONFIDENTIAL