From: JR MILES, DS8
CONFIDENTIAL NTIAL
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB Telephone 01-218 6214Direct Dialling)
01-218 9000
(Switchboard)
P J Williamson
Hong Kong and General Dept 26 ||
FCO
Hack 263||
INDE
23 FEB 1979
No 1223/2
Your reference
Our reference
D/DS8/39/8
Vate
February 1979
418
Dean Wishawar,
ASSISTANCE TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. AIR RECONNAISSANCE
I am writing to confirm the information which I gave you over the telephone yesterday evening. Our Ministers have given approval to the detachment of an RAF Canberra aircraft to Hong Kong for a period of 2-3 weeks. In view of the special circumstances of this task and of the training value, Ministers have agreed that no charge will be made for the ferry flight to and from Hong Kong and that an overall rate of £800 per flying hour will be charged for the surveillance operation. This is made up of direct operating costs, out-of-pocket personnel expenses plus a small element for depreciation and is very little more than we would charge a UK Exchequer Department. It is very much less than the amount which we would normally charge another Government, or than that which would result from using the Defence Costs Agreement formula.
Preliminary arrangements for the deployment are in hand. Provisional overflying clearances for the route have already been sought and the Canberra could be deployed next week to reach Hong Kong about 7 March provided we have the Hong Kong Governments acceptance of our terms in time for us to land associated equipment and personnel on to scheduled Hercules flights leaving the UK this weekend.
In making this offer to the Hong Kong Government we should be grateful if it could be made clear that we regard this help as a temporary expedient. If, as looks likely, the requirement for frequent unsophisticated surveillance is going to continue we suggest that Hong Kong should purchase further Islander-type aircraft for this purpose preferably for use by a full time force, eg the Hong Kong Police.
vins
Film Miles
CONFIDENTIAL