CONFIDENTIAL

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Overseas Relations Branch

Our Ref: HK.1

Mr. J. Alty,

SEE 36, Room 502

Department of Trade and Industry,

HICK 166/1

EXCIVES:

20 JUN 195

DESK OF!

IDEX

UGBA

11 Charles II Street London SW1Y 4QP

1684

Telephone: 01-930 5454

Mr

19th June, 1986.

Bartewor

Ashdown House,

Victoria Street,

LONDON,

SW1.

Dear

Guangdong : Nuclear Safety

In David Levey's absence, I am replying to your telex of 12th June, 1986, in particular paragraph 2(a).

2. The Hong Kong Government has appointed the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) as a consultant on nuclear safety and related environmental matters; the UKAEA units which are most involved in the consultancy are the Nuclear Environment Branch of the Harwell Laboratory and the Safety and Reliability Directorate at Culcheth. The UKAEA is advising on the methods and requirements of the environmental monitoring programme and the training of personnel, and will help in assessing the probabilities of reactor accidents and any radiological consequences for Hong Kong. Harwell's fourth report in the series called for under the consultancy agreement, completing the first phase of the accident assessment, was received in Hong Kong on 22nd January, 1986. Harwell have responded to one set of subsequent questions from long Kong and have received a second set which are being dealt with. The second phase of the accident assessment, which will take a year to complete, cannot start until Hong Kong have provided certain data which has been requested by ilarwell.

3. Following the Chernobyl accident, and the increased level of public concern in Hong Kong about the safety aspects of the Daya Bay Project, the Hong Kong Government has asked Harwell to send a team of experts to Hong Kong to discuss outstanding questions relating to Harwell's fourth report. However, it is now planned that Mr. John Yaxley, Secretary for Economic Servies in Hong Kong, will visit the UK in the next month or so, and will hold discussions at Harwell; his itinerary has yet to be received. will consider the arrangements for a visit after this discussion.

Yours sincerely,

Harwell

c.c.

Jonathan H. Temple

Mr. C. Hayward, NED, FCO Mr. D. Barton, HKD, FCO Mr. B. Freeman, AED, D/En

CONFIDENTIAL

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