Our Ref: SCR 4/951/75
Dear Bruce.
SECRET
R
LA
NEXT
RCF.
Colonial Secretariat, Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong.
3rd February, 1975
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R&R
RD
7/2
RECEIVED
REGISTRY N5.52
10 FEB 1975
11012122
130
(1)
We are
Thank you for your letter HKK 10/1 dated 14th January, 1975. most concerned about the proposal by the MOD that 117 Signals Unit might be closed down, and even more concerned that from para. 3 of Dawson's letter, closure in mid-1975 might even be contemplated.
Freliminary talks with the Civil Aviation Department make it clear that the Tai Mo Shan radar installation, regardless of its other functions, is an essential part of the local air traffic control system. This point was made by C.B.F. in paragraph 35 of his paper 6060 HQBF of the 2nd July, 1974 on Force Levels in Hong Kong. If it were to be closed down before alternative facilities were available there would be a significant decrease in Kai Tak's ATC system capacity in busy periods which in some circumstances could have serious repercussions on aircraft traffic handling and their safety. Even if we moved very fast, and bearing in mind delivery dates, we could not replace the Tai Mo Shan radar installation before the middle of 1977 at the earliest and then only at considerable capital expenditure.
In these circumstances our preliminary views are as follows:-
(1)
(2)
117 Signals Unit is part of the Defence Review package and we are glad to note the comment to this effect in Dawson's letter dated 20th December, 1974.
We would oppose the closure of the local air traffic control portion of 117 Signals Unit before 1st April, 1976 and would expect to be given the necessary adequate notice to develop an alternative facility. Our current assessment is 21⁄2 years notice from the date of agreement to any future closure.
Letter to MOD.
B. H. Dinwiddy, Esq.,
F.C.O.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London SW1,
ENGLAND.
BU I monft
C.S. 143
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Tai to HK.
PA
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914