TNAG-0423-FCO40-469-Construction-of-an-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 144

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Telegram No.

Tel/1C (Cont.)

to

ASTON

BTC HONG KONG

(C) WE HAVE NOW INFORMED ALL THE FOUR CONSORTIA OF A

CHANGE IN THE TIMETABLE FOR THE SECOND ROUND, AND HAVE

INVITED THEM TO SUBMIT WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS BY 4 JUNE

AT THE LATEST, FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE

PERIOD 14 TO 22 JUNE.

2.

WE HAVE DECIDED ON THIS CHANGE TO GIVE THE CONSORTIA

LITTLE MORE TIME TO PREPARE THEIR PRESENTATIONS. HAVING

REVIEWED OUR OWN PROGRAMME, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT

OF THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS,

WE NOW FEEL WE CAN AFFORD TO DO THIS WITHOUT SERIOUSLY

AFFECTING THE PROJECT SCHEDULE, AND WITHOUT UNDUE RISK

OF NUGATORY WORK ON THE PART OF THE CONSULTANTS.

3. APART FROM THE CHANGE IN TIMING, OUR INTENTION

REMAINS LARGELY AS STATED IN MY TELNO 247 OF 2 MARCH.

IN OTHER WORDS, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER 22 JUNE,

SHALL SEEK THE ADVICE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS TO WHETHER

TO ADOPT A SINGLE-CONTRACT OR A MULTI-CONTRACT APPROACH.

BUT EVEN IF COUNCIL ADVISES A SINGLE-CONTRACT APPROACH

I DO NOT ENVISAGE A DECISION BEING TAKEN AT THAT TIME

I

ON WHICH CONSORTIUM TO SELECT (ALTHOUGH THIS DECISION

WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN FAIRLY QUICKLY THEREAFTER,

PROBABLY AFTER PRELIMINARY NEGOTIATIONS WITH TWO OR

MORE CONSORTIA).

MACLEHOSE.

UNQUOTE.

XHEXITOXXIICKOKKOSTODIESSAGEDIASHOKAPKETSSBODOXONE

1920DOSSOGRODEX

XXISONÇCOMERSENSORZUIDOOS GROODTUDOM.

DO NOT TYPE ON REVERSE OF THIS FORM

Signature of Originator

Lcluation

EACH SHEET to be signed by the Originator

CONTD.