TNAG-0012-FCO40-48-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 87

QUESTION: They have not responded to our appeal?

-

SIR DAVID TRENCH: I think this has put them in a

difficulty. I would not myself expect them to respond. Normally it is done by telephoning between our foreman and their foreman. But if they say yes, they are letting down

F

their compatriots in Hong Kong who are struggling;

1

1

and if

they say no, they are certainly not winning friends and influencing people in Hong Kong. Just between us, I think some of the telephone calls made lately have been designed, not to get water so much as to make them feel beastly chaps.

QUESTION: What happens under the contract?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: It is another clause in the contract

which says,

2,000 millions gallons during July.

if the water is available we can ask for another

QUESTION: But they do not have to give it?

SIR DAVID TRENCH:

They do not have to give it.

They

would not be breaching the contract.

QUESTION: What happens from the 1st October?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: This is the wet season, between

!

the end of July and 1st October, so we do not normally want

water.

QUESTION: Has it ever happened before that what was

asked for was not given?

SIR DAVID TRENCH:

No. This is only the second year.

I think it has only run for one year before this.

QUESTION: So it is the first time anyone could make

use of that?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: Yes, and last year there was

plenty of water. On that occasion - I do not think they will forget this they only billed us for the water actually

taken but under the contract we are required to pay them for the

whole amount contracted for, and we did not take it.

Then

8-