TNAG-0637-FCO40-785-Supplies-of-electricity-for-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 159

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ii the second telegram recorded a conversation the previous

day between the British Trade Commissioner and Sir Lawrence Kadoorie in which Sir Lawrence made the following important points:

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he was confident that the site on North-East Lantau would be made available and CLP/PEPCO proposed to engage a private consultant to carry out a preliminary site suitability investigation;

he hoped that the British package, besides reflecting a competitive price, should incorporate

the free provision via the CEGB of design services in respect of both the civil engineering and the power station itself plus the secondment of CEGB staff and the training of CLP employees;

Sir Lawrence was considering the appointment

of an independent (non-British, non-US) consultant by CLP/PEPCO to advise his board on the wisdom of proceeding on the basis of HMG's offer instead of going out to international tender. The consultant would be required to report both on the technical merits of the British offer and on its attractiveness as a package.

Mr Lippitt invited the group to take these points into account when considering the draft note attached to

Mr Macdonald's letter to Mr Lomer of the same day. In discussion of the draft note the following points were made:

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Site selection and evaluation

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It was generally agreed that it would be very helpful if the CEGB were to assist CLP during this initial stage. In view of the information that CLP were now considering appointing outside consultants, it would be desirable to have a CEGB team in Hong Kong as soon as possible.

It was

Determination of totality of hardware agreed that in order to orieï the CEGB team in advance of a visit to Hong Kong, the companies should discuss directly with the CEGB the technical material relating to the new power station which they had ready prepared. The Department of Industry would ensure that the CEGB and companies received copies of the specification guidance from CLP as soon as it arrived.

Determination of UK companies by DoI It was agreed that additional companies might need to be selected, following the CLP/CEGB discussions in Hong Kong, for any new items involved in the project eg the recently proposed tunnels.