TNAG-0207-FCO40-243-Construction-of-a-cross-harbour-tunnel--under-Hong-Kong-harb-1969 — Page 81

CONFIDENTIAL

CYPHER/CAT A

ILMEDIATE HONG KONG TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELNO 256

27 MARCH 1969

100

CONFIDENTIAL ADDRESSED F C O TELNO 256 OF 27 MARCH RFI EXPORTCRED

LONDON BOTHILL LONDON

FROM B T C.

RECIT ARCHIVES N 51

FOR CARTER H.K.DEPT FROM HANNAM: TUNNEL.

28 MAR 1989

HKK 21/4

ава

REF. MY EXCED 62 AND YRTEL 192.

97

2. THE PRESENT POSITION IS THAT THE HONG KONG HAVE STILL NOT

SENT AN OFFICIAL LETTER TO THE TUNNEL COMPANY SETTING OUT THE

TERMS ON WHICH THEY WOULD GIVE A GUARANTEE. I UNDERSTAND UNOFFIC-

TALLY, HOWEVER, THAT AT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 18

A DECISION WAS TAKEN TO GIVE SUCH A GUARANTEE PROVIDED THE

COMPANY OBSERVED THE CONDITIONS LAID DOWN IN THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL RESOLUTION PASSED ON 11 AUGUST 1965. YOU WILL BE

AWARE THAT THIS WAS THE RESOLUTION APPROVING IN PRINCIPLE THE

GRANTING OF A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A CROSS HARBOUR

TUNNEL.

3. THE REASONS WHY THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT ARE DELAYING IN

SENDING OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION TO THE TUNNEL COMPANY ARE UNKNOWN

TO ME, BUT I IMAGINE THEY ARE ONLY CONNECTED WITH DRAFTING.

I WAS HOWEVER CONCERNED TODAY TO HEAR FROM THE TUNNEL COMPANY

THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD TOLD THE TUNNEL COMPANY ON

1ST

#EF.

XT

REF.

041105

CONFIDENTIAL

/MARCH