TNAG-0955-FCO40-1174-Legislation-for-traffic-on-roads-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 66

36

GRS 200

CONFIDENT I AL

CONFIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE

DESKBY 0708082

FM HONG KONG 070530Z OCTOBER 80

TO IMMEDIATE F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1313 OF 07 OCTOBER

YOUR TELNO 880

FOR CLIFT

34

TOP COPY

нкк

HKK 172

าว

see

2837

E C G D COVER FOR K M B CONTRACT

RECEIVED IN RECISTRY NO. 51.

09 OCT 1980

DESK OFFER

INDEX

No

PA

REGSTRY

Motion Taken

10 AW-

WE AGREE WITH YOUR PROPOSAL TO CONCENTRATE ON BROAD

IMPLICATIONS AND NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN DETAIL. BUT YOU MIGHT

POINT OUT THAT IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS IT WILL BE THE HONG

KONG GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE BUSES MOVING

AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS

(K M B CARRY ABOUT 2 AND A HALF MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY).

2. WE ARE FULLY PREPARED TO SUPPORT IN WRITING THE SECRETARY

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT'S ASSURANCE ON THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME OF CONTROL REFERRED TO IN YOUR PARA 2. BUT WE COULD NOT AGREE TO A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE.

3. WE WOULD EMPHASISE THAT, UNLESS THIS QUESTION IS SETTLED SATISFACTORILY IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THERE IS A VERY REAL DANGER THAT

ORDERS WILL BE CANCELLED. OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS WOULD

PLACE AT LEAST SOME OF THE BRITISH MANUFACTURERS INVOLVED IN A

VERY SERIOUS POSITION.

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED HK.GD

TRED

ALJONALƏ

Capres To:

HOW @ KONG GOVT OFFICE

CONDON

(FOR COMMISSIONER)

CONFIDENTIAL