TNAG-0422-FCO40-468-Construction-of-an-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 152

for the Hong Kong Government to embark now on this programme of re-equipment and whether any harm would be done w aiting 2 years or so when details of new equipment from the computer companies would be available.

4. From the above it is clear that ICL's main immediate objec- tive is to stop the Hong Kong Government taking a decision now on now data processing equipment. The value or the equipment re- quired in the short term is not in itself very great: Gem ral Richardson estimates about £500,000. But for their future busi- ness in Hong Kong and to some extent in Japan and China JCL regard their position as supplier to the Hong Kong Government as crucial.

5. General Richardson and Mr Cook said they would be very pleased to call at the Office to discuss this matter further if we thought it would be helpful. I said that we would consider this urgently and that if a meeting was necessary we would try to arrange one in the next day or two. If we are to make an ap- proach to the Governor you may think a further briefing meeting here would be useful. Hong Kong Department say that they would be happy to attend a meeting in your office. We would also have to arrange for the appropriate Divisions of CRE to be repres- ented.

6 February 1973

Copies: Mr Wilford

Mr Goodfellow

GF Fulam

Finlayson

Export Fromotion Department G 1/1

60

Rm 88)

HKJOD, Rm K245)

CORET DELL'T AL