TNAG-1502-FCO40-2060-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 118

CONFIDENTIAL

C Hum Esq

Department of Energy

Thames House South Millbank London SW1P 4QJ

Telegrams Energy London SW1

HICK 16

PLCEIVED IN RE

18 AUG 1966

Telephone Direct Line 01-211 7151

Switchboard 01-211 3000

Your reference

Hong Kong Department

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Room 307A

Whitehall

LONDON SW1

ME

hello sul. разву

447

Our reference

AE 9/103/3

AE 120/112/18

Date

August 1986

Dear Christopher

HONG KONG

I attach a copy of a letter from Sir Walter Marshall, Chairman of the CEGB, about Hong Kong and his plans to visit Tokyo at the end of October. As you will see, he is offering to stop off in Hong Kong to help in the task of re-assuring the people there that the Daya Bay project does not pose an unacceptable risk.

—

2. I am at the moment in two minds about this offer. On the one hand, Sir Walter is known for his pro-PWR stance and his presence in Hong Kong would be another outward sign of the assistance the UK is providing though in the light of this it would have been more helpful if the visit could have taken place before contract signature. On the other hand, however, there must be a risk that the anti-Daya Bay lobby (if still in existence after the contracts have been signed) will use the visit to cast doubt on Sir Walter's credentials (and our good intentions) by pointing out that the UK does not have any direct experience of the commercial operation of PWRS.

3.

Sir Walter has suggested organised lectures and seminars for his stop-over and these could perhaps be arranged in such a way as to minimise the risks. Furthermore, Sir Walter is undoubtedly influential and well connected and his presence in Hong Kong, even at the end of October, could do much to bolster the shift in public opinion which now appears to be under way.

1

4. In view of the foregoing, I would welcome your views, and those of copy addressees, on the proposed visit and should also be glad if you would obtain the views of Hong Kong and Peking by telegram. A risk assessment from Hong Kong would be especially useful. (I assume for this purpose, that the telegrams, and more particularly the replies, will be on a distribution list which does not include the CEGB.)

5.

My Secretary of State's Office have asked for a reply by 22 August and I would ask you to let me have your contribution no later than Thursday 21 August.

6. I am sending copies of this letter to Chris Benjamin DTI, Tom Young NED/FCO and to Richard Fletcher Cooke FED/FCO.

Yours sincerdy Brian

B FREEMAN

сс

Mr Agrell o.r.

Mr McGregor