TNAG-0425-FCO40-471-Construction-of-an-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 112

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STEERING GROUP THAT NOT ONLY HAVE YOU NOT PUT FORWARD A COUNTER- BID IN SPECIFIC TERMS, BUT ALSO YOU ARE NOT PREPARING TO DO

SO FOR SOME MONTHS TO COME. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THAT THE STEERING GROUP IS OBLIGED TO RECOMMEND TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SOON AFTER 2ND DECEMBER NEXT, WHETHER THE PRE-EMPTIVE BID OR A COUNTER-BID, IF ANY IS RECEIVED, SHOULD BE ACCEPTED. THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROCEDURE BEING FURTHER EXTENDED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THOSE CONSORTIA WISHING TO PUT IN COUNTER-BIDS, FOR THIS WOULD BE BREAKING FAITH WITH THE PRE-EMPTIVE BIDDER.

4.

THE STEERING GROUP WOULD BE VERY WILLING TO MEET ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ANGLO-ITALIAN GROUP WITH A VIEW TO CLARIFYING, IF THIS IS NECESSARY, EXACTLY WHAT IS REQUIRED FROM A CONSORTIUM WISHING TO SUBMIT A COUNTER-BID. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER YOU

WISH TO TAKE UP THIS INVITATION, YOU WILL NO DOUBT BEAR IN MIND THAT 2ND DECEMBER IS ONLY 13 DAYS AWAY.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

(C.P. HADDON-CAVE) FINANCIAL SECRETARY,

ENDS

MACLEHOSE

FILES HKIOD

PS/MR ROYLE SIR D WATSON MR YOUDE

COPIES TO:

PS/S OF S DTI

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MR D N ROYCE DTI