布政司署
香港下亞
本署檔號 OUR REF.; SCR 5/62
來函檔號 YOUR ReF.:
畢道
84
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
Никова1
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
17th March, 1978
2 MAR 1973
DENK GOM
INDEX
PA
J Dromgoole Esq
AUS (GS)
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall SW1 2HB LONDON
J.r.
Nr se
2013
N Thongsor ..
R
Defence Costs Agreement: Release of RAF Kai Tak
In the final stages of the completion of the building programme at Sek Kong to reprovide all the essential facilities from Royal Air Force Kai Tak we have been maintaining close touch with Headquarters British Forces and the Royal Air Force.
2.
It was always recognised that the timetable was extremely tight. Indeed, the Joint Working Party, on the proposal to release Ministry of Defence occupied land at Kai Tak and Victoria Barracks, under the chairmanship of Sir Denys Roberts, Chief Secretary, in November 1975 noted that the Kai Tak Sub-Committee stipulated that the exercise was only feasible provided that we were able to complete the works services so that the buildings and facilities were available for use by mid-February, 1978. In Appendix 8 to that report it was noted in relation to airmens quarters that 'it is unlikely any safety margin can be incorporated in this works item'. In that Appendix those quarters were shown as being completed by the end of March.
3.
It has not, in the event, proved to be possible to complete all the reprovisioning programme to allow the Royal Air Force to release the land stipulated in the Defence Costs Agreement on the 31st March, 1978. The Hong Kong Government has now accepted a revised plan for handover This involves the move of support facilities to Sek Kong on 10th April, 1978, the move of personnel and their families being co-ordinated with the Squadron move to take place during the week 15th to 21st May and the Royal Air Force station at Kai Tak being fully released to the Hong Kong Government by the 30th June, 1978.
4.
Although paragraph 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding stipulates that in the event of delay in meeting the release dates, the situation will be reviewed by the two Governments, the Hong Kong Government, in all the circumstances, does not propose to seek any formal review and I am writing to tell you of the revised release programme.
/5.