CONFIDENTIAL
4
Hong Kong Government would face considerable internal
political opposition to any arrangement that seemed to
be favouring HMG over other competitors. Premature pressure for this would certainly be counter-productive. Even if a negotiated contract is unacceptable, we shall wish to make sure that our firms are well placed to bid and that their efforts are backed by such Government
support as may be required.
(iii) MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY
(iv)
The MTR is one of the UK's major transport successes in
recent years. Both on the original project and Island Line extension, British companies picked up substantial contracts, particularly in the supply field where Metro Cammell secured the contract for rolling stock and others
were also successful. The contract for chopper controls has been lost to Mitsubishi whose chopper is already under test in Hong Kong.
LANTAU ISLAND TO MAINLAND LINK
This project is almost certainly dependant on a decision being taken to proceed with the airport at Chek Lap Kok. A £300 million proposal (UK content £100 million)
to construct three bridges linking Lantau with the mainland is being pursued separately by Cleveland Bridge (CB) and Redpath Dorman Long (RDL) both members of the
Trafalgar House Group. CB are intending to mount an all UK bid while RDL will include Japanese hardware in the bid price. However, it is now believed that an American
company may bid in consortium with the Italians and
Chinese. Collaborating with the Chinese would enable a
keen price to be offered and could be attractive
politically. The British companies are being encouraged to consider this option.
CONFIDENTIAL
/TUEN
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