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4.
(iv)
Kong Government would wish to discuss some arrangement, under which they could continue to use the Tai Mo Shan radar fæ air traffic
control purposes. If it was acceptable to the Americans, and if there was no requirement that the equipment had to be operated by the UK Services, it might be possible for the equipment to be operated by the Civil Aviation Department in the same way as their other radar installations, ie, by agreement with Cable and Wireless Limited. If this was not possible Hong Kong would wish to maintain the present arrangements under which the RAF would continue to operate the equipment for air traffic
control purposes.
Hong Kong would not oppose any run down of Tai Mo Sham's 'other' functions provided that this did not prejudice the maintenance of the ATC facilities until the agreed date.
The Secretary for Security also explained that he has refrained from going further into the points raised in (iii) above, because he recognises the prime importance of giving us an early reply. However, I understand that he has written to HQBF Hong Kong:
(a)
(b)
(c)
to say that if the main work of 117 Signals Unit is discontinued the ATC role must be retained
in the interests of aviation safety until alternative facilities can be provided.
to ask whether it is essential that the equipment for ATC use be operated by the UK Services
and, if so, what staff would be required and at what recurrent cost.
to ask (if the equipment does not need to be operated by UK Services) what staff the Hong Kong Government would require to operate and service" it. (0 the r radar equipment used by the Civil Aviation Department is operated by Cable and Wireless Limited under an agreement with the Hong Kong Government).
(a)
to ask whether the supply of spares for the equipment is assured.
5.
I am afraid that Hong Kong's reaction to the proposed closure may have taken you by surprise. The Secretary for Security has promised to let me know when HQBF reply to his letter, and I imagine that MOD may in the meantime be hearing from HQBF direct through your own channels. However, you will wish to know at once that premature closure of the Unit would present the Hong Kong Government with real difficulties.
Yours ever,
Brac Jinnidely
B Dinwiddy
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Departme t SECRET