RESTRICTED
...
USED THE FORM OF WORDS THAT I READ OVER TO YOU: (SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN) AS IN PARA 1 OF OTTER 18 (SQUARE BRACKETS END). QUOTE THAT COMMENT HAS BEEN REPORTED OR REFLECTED IN MOST OF THE NEWSPAPER REPORTS THOUGH YOU WILL HAVE SEEN THE UNWARRANTED SUGGESTION THAT
THE DTI'S ASSISTANCE COULD REPRESENT SOME FORM OF PRESSURE ON THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN COMING TO A DECISION. IN PARTICULAR THERE
IS ONE MISQUOTE WHICH HAS MY INFORMATION OFFICER SAYING,
**BRITAIN
WOULD NOW HELP TO DECIDE WHETHER HONG KONG NEEDS A SECOND AIRPORT '' WHAT HE SAID WAS, BRITAIN WOULD NOT HELP. '. QUOTE I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT THE AGREEMENT TO HELP BRITISH COMPANIES TO MAKE FEASIBILITY STUDIES IN NO WAY SEEKS TO PREJUDGE OR PREJUDICE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S DECISION. HOWEVER IF THE PROJECT DOES COME ABOUT THERE COULD BE SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH COMPANIES
AND WE THINK IT IMPORTANT THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO POSITION
THEMSELVES AT THIS STAGE. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO MENTION SOME TIME AGO THAT IN PRINCIPLE THE DTI WOULD BE INCLINED TO LOOK FAVOURABLY ON REQUESTS FROM BRITISH COMPANIES FOR HELP IN MAKING FEASIBILITY STUDIES, IT WAS A PITY THE ACTUAL AGREEMENT APPEARED IN THE PRESS BEFORE ALL THE FORMALITIES HAD BEEN COMPLETED (AND
INDEED BEFORE THE NEWS COULD REACH THIS OFFICE) AND I AM SORRY
THIS PREVENTED ME FROM INFORMING YOU IN ADVANCE.
HOLLOWAY
YYYY
HMLNAN 7754
MINIMAL
HKD
COPIES TO
DTI
VICTORIA ST.
RESTRICTED
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