TNAG-0948-FCO40-1167-Effect-of-nuclear-exports-to-China-on-Hong-Kong-Guangdong-nu-1980 — Page 124

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Carey

will

do.

Confidential

NII

the details of demand flows with CLP planners.

Mr Ronald Gausden is HM Chief Nuclear Installations Inspector and Mr John S MacLeod is Overseas Liaison Officer for the NII. The objectives of the NII are set out in the Introduction to Ron Gausden's last annual report, a copy of which I enclose.

the

Looking at the notes of the meeting held between CLP and KEC in February, I imagine that the NII could best participate in the sub-committee on site selection. However, the exact role which they might play is difficult to establish at the moment. Things may be clearer after Walter Marshall has reported. However, we shall certainly want to discuss NII might play as part of a UK support scheme with Bill Stones. To enable Bill to get a clearer idea of the NII competence, I am also enclosing a copy of some of the more relevant recent publications. Bill and any colleagues could look over these then our first meeting which we would like on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 April could be productive. We would then aim to take away more detailed points which CLP will no doubt raise and return again on Wednesday afternoon (it may not be necessary for me to accompany NII on the subsequent visit).

Jefferson

If

On the morning of Tuesday 22 April we would like to see Jefferson - assuming he has co-ordinating responsibility for the project within Hong Kong Government.

We are concerned that Hong Kong Government may not fully appreciate the implications of the nuclear project and we thus intend to give Hong Kong Government clear advice and information despite their preference to leave everything to CLP. Again, perhaps you could hand over a copy of the relevant documents. It may well be that Jefferson might wish to call in Dr Wilson and somebody from the Environmental Committee. Alternatively separate sessions might be preferred. We would take your advice and that of Hong Kong Government on that. In any event before our first meeting with Hong Kong Government we would value a word with Thompson and Burgess on developments and susceptibilities.

Guang Dong

I see things developing within the UK on this project as follove. After receipt of your report on the Marshall/SLK visit, I will have a meeting with relevant Departments here to form a working level view both on the future participation of Marshall and on how we can best support the Working Groups. Our conclusions will go to Ron Dearing who may wish to re-convene our inter-Departmental group.

I have arranged a meeting for Thursday 17 April with relevant Departments and Walter Marshall so that we can hear at first hand his views and discuss the conclusions which hopefully we would then have reached. I should therefore be in a position to be able to brief Bill Stones fully on the Whitehall view when I arrive and would aim to seek his views on our proposals. The involvement of Ron Gausden is there- fore but one element in the approach and I somehow need to see Bill Stones separately to fill him in on the position and enable him better to place the possible role of NII in its overall context. I know that Monday is a holiday but I wonder if any time might be available on that day for such a discussion.

I would also like to see Wynne Bischoff for a discussion on the financial aspects of the project. Although the Economics Sub-Committee does not have him as a member at present, I imagine he would be closely involved in advice on the various aspects to be considered by this working group. The suggestions of counter-trading only further complicate an already confused position in our minds on how the station is to be financed and what equity or other involvement is proposed and by whom.

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