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(3) For the period between 1st April, 1976 and 21⁄2 years
from the date of agreement referred to in (2) we shall want to discuss some arrangement under which the Hong Kong Government can continue to use the Tai Mo Shan radar for air traffic control purposes. If the Americans are happy and if there is no requirement that the equipment must be operated by the U.K. Services, it may be possible for the equipment to be operated by the Civil Aviation Department in the same way as their other radar installations, i.e. by agreement with Cable and Wireless Ltd. If this is not possible we would wish to maintain the present arrangements under which the RAF continue to operate the equipment for air traffic control purposes.
(4)
We would not oppose any run down of Tai Mo Shan's 'other' functions provided that these did not prejudice the maintenance of the ATC facilities until the agreed date.
Because I sense that you want an early reaction to your letter I have not waited to go into the points raised in para. 3 (3) but I am writing to HQBF here to
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
say that if the main work of 177 Signals Unit is discontinued the ATC role must be retained in the interests of aviation safety until alternative facilities can be provided.
Ask whether the equipment for ATC use has to be operated by the U.K. Services and, if so, what staff would be required and at what recurrent cost.
Ask whether if the equipment does not need to be operated by U.K. Services, what staff the Hong Kong Government require to operate and service it. (Other radar equipment used by the Civil Aviation Department is operated by Cable and Wireless Ltd. under an agreement with the Hong Kong Government).
Ask whether the supply of spares for the equipment is assured.
I will pass on the results of these enquiries to you in due course.
Yours wer
Bin
(L.M. Davies)
Secretary for Security
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