position to be able to make a specific offer on ECGD financing. Accordingly ECGD did not see advantage in being part of the UK team at present. However, Mr. Holloway would review the position of ECGD.
Turning to the composition of the proposed delegation, Mr. Davidson said that he, Mr. Knight and Hr. Ridge would certainly be part of the team; Mr. Lippitt might also wish to be included. Mr. Dewe Mathews said that he and Mr. Burnham would wish to be part of the team. Mr. Dewe Mathews suggested that it might be worthwhile to consider inviting the Treasury to send a representative to experience negotiations on a project at first hand. Both GEC and Schroders stressed the importance of being able to field the same faces in meetings with the Chinese. Mr. Davidson, in particular, considered it important that Mr. Manzie should head the delegation and establish himself with the Chinese prior to the next round of talks to take place in Peking. Mr. Havelock said the Department would consider its representation on the mission.
Conflicting preferences on precise dates for the mission emerged and it was agreed that this would need to be settled by the end of the week when it would be necessary to send a substantive reply to the invitation.
Catterne
MES C E D BELL MEE4b
517 Ashdown House 212 5896
18 May, 1982
Bell
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c.c. Mr. Manzie
Mr. Benjamin
Mr. Havelock
Mr. Thompson FCO
BTC Hong Kong
British Embassy, Peking
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