We have heard from the BTC that Sir Lawrence's initial reaction was favourable although he pointed out that there are clearly a number of important issues which will have to be explored carefully. (Sir Sidney Gordon, for example, stressed that the key element remained the final cost cif per Kw of installed capacity in the power station and its relationship to any genuine bid which could have been expected from an open tender.) David Gemmill and I will be going to Hong Kong this weekend for discussions next week and on our return at the end of the week I will report progress to all the companies.
As John Lippitt said at last Thursday's meeting, it would be helpful if those represented at that meeting could meet again as soon as he has returned from the United States. I hope that it will be possible for the recipients of this letter to come to a meeting (or be represented at it) on Monday 20 June at 3.00 pm at this Department. If this time is inconvenient to you, will you please inform Peter Moulson (215-3760) and we will make our best efforts to find a more convenient time for the majority of those concerned.
If John Lippitt's team is to have the opportunity of two days of meaningful discussions in Hong Kong before the weekend, it would have to leave London on the afternoon of Tuesday 21 June, arriving in Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon. As John Lippitt said at his meeting, we are anxious that the Department's representatives should be supported by representatives of the companies mainly involved. I was pleased to hear that you were hoping to go from the Sudan to Hong Kong on or around 22 June to accompany the team there.
The BTC has asked me to emphasise that Sir Lawrence has himself stressed that it is highly desirable that there should be no publicity for any of the visits which are shortly to be made to Hong Kong. We for our part will be taking no steps to draw attention to visits
I am sending a copy of this letter and attachment to Norman Scott and Harry Jackson (GEC); Mr Eric Grey (Babcock & Wilcox); Denis Rooney and Michael Julien (BICC/Balfour Beatty); and, in David Gemmill's absence in Australia, to Lord Kindersley (Lazards). I am also copying this material to Lord Weir (Weir Group) and Michael Higgs (Boving) who were contacted about this project after last Thursday's meeting.
Yams and
Alastami Macdonando Marimaro
A J MACDONALD
cc: Mr Bullock Mr Lippitt Mr Baker
Miss Mueller IC Mr Clark MEPT
Mr
Mr Havelock " Mr Stewart FCO
Mr Lane Treasury
Mr Kemp ECGD
Mr Morphet Energy
Mr Roberts CRE Mr Mingay G Mr Bryant OPG Mr Battersby, II Mr Field 1.C.
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