TNAG-0337-FCO40-373-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster--Sir-Geoff-1972 — Page 50

3.

The Hong Kong Government have invited

contractors on a world wide basis to indicate

by mid-October their technical ability to carry

out the project, their estimate of cost and their

proposals for financing the project.

4. A British consortium of firms interested in

the proposal was formed in 1971. It includes

major manufacturers and civil engineering

contractors, and major banking interests capable

of organising finance. The consortium is

represented in Hong Kong by Hutchinson International

Ltd (Chairman, Sir Douglas Clague).

The main

competition is expected to come from a Japanese

consortium represented in Hong Kong by Jardine

Matheson.

5. Proposals to help the UK consortium to secure

the contract are now being worked out by the ECGD

and the DTI. The intention is to submit a paper

to Ministers before the end of September.

CONFIDENTIAL

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN