TNAG-2498-FCO40-3636-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Taiwan-1992 — Page 109

་་་་་ག་ ད་ཡིག་

Gary Titley

Member of the European Parliament

for Greater Manchester West

Your Voice in Europe

SOCIALIST GROUP KUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

GT/SK/CT

Rt. Hon. Tom King MP Secretary of State Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall

London SW1A 2HB

с

DELS

ps izply

bund wur

aney

shut.

Grothe

i Min

DP's office woke mend

بنت

Hy send.

pend the want a

draft for Fami

18th March, 1992

XII

Dear Secretary & State,

I am writing to you on behalf of Feb Limited, based in Swinton, Manchester, who have been involved with co-operative work in the development of a system of rapid repair of aircraft runways.

Following the successful trial of their product in Florida, they secured a contract from the Royal Singapore Air Force to supply some £2 million worth of product as part of a combined £12 million total requirement of plant and materials for airfield protection.

As a result of these successes, the Taiwanese Airforce has similarly expressed interest in Feb Limited's product. Their French competitors are, however, way ahead in this market and the company will have to move quickly if they are to successfully respond to Taiwan's interest.

However, they feel their hands are tied since they have received no response from the M.O.D. regarding the request for permission to export to Taiwan. Similarly, they would like permission for a number of Taiwanese officials to attend a demonstration in the UK.

The company does not believe the materials involved can be realistically regarded as strategically significant or unique in anyway - particularly in view of the French activity. The company is convinced, however, about the superiority of its product.

The purpose of this letter is to urge you to look again at this case As quickly as possible since it is clear that a vital contract could be lost to the French if Feb Limited are not given clearance to negotiate with Taiwan.

I would also be grateful if you could let me know if there is anything which can be done at a European level. particularly as regards "competition policy in view of the French competitors.

He shout

Euro Office: 16 Spring Lanc, Radcliffe. M26 9TQ Tel: 061-724 4008

Fax: 061-724 4009 Gold, 83:SOC007

Poklical Organiser: Roger Fellows