TNAG-2259-FCO40-3255-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-Brit-1991 — Page 171

CONFIDENTIAL

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MDLIA 3391

SUGGEST THEREFORE THEY CONCENTRATE ON PUTTING IN A COMPETITIVE BID, AND THAT HMG DOES EVERYTHING IT CAN TO ENSURE THAT THAT BID IS ACCEPTED. IN SHORT, EVEN ALTHOUGH 15 PERCENT OF A POUNDS 600 MILLION OR MORE CONTRACT IS STILL GOOD BUSINESS, I SUGGEST THEY SHOULD PLAY FOR THE HIGHER STAKES AND ONLY UNITE WITH THE

JAPANESE GROUP IF AND WHEN THE LATTER ARE PREPARED TO GIVE A MUCH

LARGER SHARE OF THE WORK.

9. I APOLOGISE FOR THE LENGTH OF THESE TWO TELEGRAMS. BUT THE CONTRACTS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE. THE BRITISH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, IN THE DOLDRUMS IN THE UK, NEEDS THEM BADLY. SOON THERE WILL ONLY BE EQUIPMENT AND SUBCONTRACTING ITEMS TO PLAY FOR. IT IS THE TIME THEREFORE TO CONCENTRATE OUR MINDS ON HOW FAR WE CAN HELP BRITISH COMPANIES AND WHAT, IF ANY, PRESSURES WE MIGHT APPLY ON THEIR BEHALF.

HEAP

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MAIN

33

DISTRIBUTION

41

HONG KONG AIRPORT RESTRICTED

LIMITED

HKD

HD/PUSD

HD/FED

HD/NEWS D

HD/PLANNERS

PS

PS/LORD CAITHNESS

PS/PUS

SIR J COLES

MR BAYNE

MR BURNS

MR MILES/JOINT DIRECTORATE

ADDITIONAL

8

SIR P CRADOCK (NO 10)

MS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS MISS NEVILLE-JONES CAB OFFICE MR S WIGHTMAN CABINET OFFICE

MR WYE RAD

MR ADAMS/PEP, DTI MR MEADWAY/OT2, DTI ECGD

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