TNAG-0635-FCO40-783-Supplies-of-electricity-for-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 26

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Mr Lippitt

RE

REQU

11 NẢY CONFIDENTIAL

4KK 16+/

Reference..

P.Ajees

Iwan Danale told by tolle epheme Indecen

сс Mr Bullock

Mr Havelock, NEPT Mr Stewart, FCO◄ Mr Roberts, CRE

that we (including FED.) agree the craft-

Ameded

dees

HONG KONG POWER STATION PROJECT

@s

In the light of the note of the Prime Minister's discussion with the Japanese Prime Minister on 8 May, we agreed that it would be appropriate to indicate to No 10, by way of a Private Secretary letter, that Ministers needed to proceed with caution in putting pressure on Japan over the China Light and Power contract. recipients of this minute agree with this response in principle.

2°

All

I attach the draft of a minute which could be sent either by PS/Secretary of State or by PS/Mr Williams (who has been in the lead Ministerially within the Department on this). I should appreciate comments on the draft over the telephone as soon as possible so that an early reply can be sent to No 10.

3. No briefing was provided to No 10 by this Department, Trade or the FCO on China Light and Power for the meeting of Prime Ministers. However the Prime Minister has recently seen our letter bringing No 10 up to date with developments. Moreover last Friday he saw Sir James Woodeson (Clarke Chapman/Reyrolle Parsons) following the latter's return from Hong Kong. So we must presume that the Prime Minister raised the issue on his hown initiative.

AJ Macdonald

A J MACDONALD IC/2

Room 610 V/St Ext 5015

11 May 1977

LACT

KL.

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