8th July 1969
46
Airport 1 Hong Kong
Thank you for your letter of 3rd July 1969 about the käi Tak airport in Hong Kong.
As the proposed statement about 2.U.v.D. facilities is regarded as a minor elesent in the suggested package deal we can perhaps consider the question wher the other elements in the package have been considered by those concerned and when the form of the offer of a pas age deal is a little clearer.
Our first reaction is mach the same as yours namely that a public statemert about .C.G.D.'s facilities could be a hostage to fortune if it becomes a lover for ¡ressing for axtraordinary facilities as negotiations proceed.
Given that the Hong Kong Government are fragmenting the project and intend to invite bids internationally for each fragment I am mure the right approach is for us to take enquiries from United Kingdom ocatrsetors in the normal way for o naideration on their individual marits. Indeed, according to Carter's letter of 2nd July, some of the business is already out te tender.
In the last analysis, if it would serve a useful pur¡ose, we would not object to a statement on the lines that the 'normal commercial facilities of X | 2.0.0.9. are available for exports connected with this scheme' but it is difficult
at this stage to see what useful purpose such a statement of the obvious would
I am copying to Carter, Ricketts, Steel and D. C. Smith.
C. C. Lucas, eaq•,
H.. Treasury,
Great George Street, LONDON S. s.l.
LAST
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(J. Gill)
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