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52166 - 1
COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS MADE CLEAR IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ON 15
JULY, WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING VERY CLOSELY THE EXPRESSIONS OF
CONCERN IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE PROPOSED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AT
DAYA BAY, IN CHINA. WE ARE UNDERTAKING A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES
TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN BE KEPT INFORMED AND GIVEN
REASSURANCES OF THE SAFETY MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED AT THE PLANT.
NOTE FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
(IF ASKED WHETHER WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE) WE ARE IN
CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON SAFETY AND OTHER
ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT.
1.
2.
(IF PRESSED ABOUT WHETHER WE HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TOTHE
CHINESE REQUESTING THAT THE PLANT BE RE-SITED FURTHER AWAY FROM HONG KONG) CANNOT REVEAL DETAILS OF DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES.
3. (IF ASKED WHAT IS HMG'S ATTITUDE TO THE PETITION) WE AWAIT A REPORT FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THIS MATTER.
4. (IF NOTED ABOUT CONTINGENCY PLANNING IN HONG KONG) THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS DRAWING UP PLANS TO ENSURE THE GREATEST
POSSIBLE DEGREE OF SAFETY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THE
UNLIKELY EVENT OF A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT. TO THIS END, THE UNITED
KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY HAS BEEN RETAINED AS CONSULTANT
TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
HOWE
OCMIAN 2166
GUANGDONG
[COPIES SENT TO NO 10 DOWNING STREET]
LIMITED
HKD
FED
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
GUANGDONG NUCLEAR
PS
NED
TRED
PRU
PUSD(MR CROWLEY)
WED
PS/MR RENTON PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
MR DAUNT
MR WILSON MR SLATER
2
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