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Also at meetings of the Legislative Council Economic Services Panel last year, Members requested access to an internal Civil Aviation Department document which raised concerns in relation to the documentation on the aircraft and its safety features.
At that time, the Government undertook to produce this document after completion of the official accident investigation. In line with that undertaking, Members of the Legislative Council Panel have been provided with copies of the document concerned, together with the Civil Aviation Department's comments on the points of concern which it raised.
A Government spokesman stressed that this document was not the formal investigation report, but merely an internal working document prepared a matter of days after the accident.
Experts from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Legal Bureau and the UK Department of Transport had advised the Panel that the responsibility for ensuring continuing airworthiness of an aircraft was a matter for the State of Registry. They were satisfied that the investigation in question was being conducted in a diligent, professional and expeditious manner.
The Coroner has decided that there should be an inquest into the deaths of the six crew members, and this will be held in March 1997. The Accident Investigation Report and all other information and documents which may be relevant will be passed to the Coroner.
Copies of the Accident Investigation Report are on sale at the Government Publications Centre.
End
Government not to appeal against judgment on AECS case
The Government has decided not to appeal against the judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal on November 22, 1996 on the appeal by the Association of Expatriate Civil Servants (AECS) and the cross appeal by the Government on various measures to implement the Government's localisation policy.
"The decision has been made after very careful consideration of independent legal advice and that from the Attorney General's Chambers, of the implications of the judgment, and of the interests of all parties involved," a Government spokesman said today (Monday).