CONFIDANTIAL
in the newspapers of the breakdown in the MFA negotiations. We would now be engaging in a series of bilateral negotiations. The UK textile industry was genuinely worried, although he was not sure that it was worried about Hong Kong. Sir Lawrence Kadoorie said that discriminatory quotas could create an impossible situation for Hong Kong.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister thanked Sir Lawrence Kadoorie very warmly for his gift of a jade ju-i, which he had greatly appreciated. The conversation ended at 1000.
Sir Lawrence Kadoorie left with me some notes which he had made in preparation for his meeting with the Prime Minister. All the points in his note are covered in the above summary of the conversation except one, relating to finance. This reads as follows:
"If finance is to be provided through ECGD, we do not. wish to be faced with a fait accompli whereby Lazards is appointed to act for CLP/PEPCO. The boards of CLP/PEPCO have appointed Schroder and Chartered of Hong Kong as financial co-ordinators to the proposed company which is to develop the new power station project; if required I can appoint Schroder Wagg and the Chartered Bank in London to represent the companies concerned. In this way, our companies would have representation equal to that of Lazards in the eyes of the British banks who might eventually be called upon to provide the necessary finance."
The Prime Minister attaches particular importance to Sir Lawrence Kadoorie's remarks about the necessity for demonstrating continuing official interest and activity, particularly if the mid-August target for the completion of the package slips, and I should be grateful if you would ensure that the Prime Minister's personal interest in this aspect is brought to the attention of those directly concerned.
I am sending copies of this letter to Kingsley Jones (H.M. Treasury), Ewen Fergusson (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), Martyn Baker (Department of Trade) and James Bretherton (Department of Energy).
ever,
Yours
в здат
Bryan Carleige
J.F. Mills, Esq., Department of Industry.
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