TNAG-0340-FCO40-376-Aid-to-Hong-Kong-from-UK-1972 — Page 156

LAST

OVERSEAS FINANCE & PROJECTS DIVISION

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

(45) A draft reply CMG hou bin

D A Scott Esq CMG FCO

Whitehall

LONDON SWI

lala فا

1 VICTORIA STREET

LONDON SW 1

01-222 7877 Ext 3649

20 July 1972

Send 6th Wilfre

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AID FOR HONG KONG

th. Wilford

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267 This in

Comes,

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Milgaro

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Mw2/2

The brief for the visit by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to Hong Kong in February recommended that in discussion with the Governor and his official advisers, the Secretary of State should take the opportunity of exploring the idea of British aid being used more extensively to promote UK commercial and industrial interests. Subsequently at a meeting with the Governor's Councils I understand the Secretary of State suggested that he might look again at the policy which has for several years given little or no scope for the provision of capital aid to Hong Kong.

уз

I think.

I do not know to what extent you have already reached conclusions but it might be helpful if I were to identify the schemes to which we would give priority from the commercial point of view and which, at the same time, would involve only a moderate financial strain on ODA's budget. The schemes are:

(a) a study to determine whether the present airport can be extended or whether a new one will be required at a cost of about £200,000; there is some urgency in this since bids have already been submitted by selected consultants. The value of this contract lies in the possibility of further orders for airport construction and equipment as a new airport would involve contracts of some £50-100m, and

(b)

A decision

a new ILS at a cost of about £75,000. on this will be made soon and the order will go to Phillips (Holland) unless we can influence events in favour of Plesseys.

There are other modest airport requirements for which we could provide details if necessary.

1.