TNAG-1658-FCO40-2306-Daya-Bay-nuclear-power-station-project-safety-concerns-in-Ho-1987 — Page 158

RESTRICTED

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TO DESKBY 28010OZ HONG KONG

TELNO 2854

OF 27112OZ OCTOBER 87

INFO PRIORITY PEKING

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MDHOAN 1405

TOP COPY

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MKC 166/3

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

28 OCT 1987

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION:

1.

DAYA BAY

WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE A DRAFT REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING WRITTEN QUESTION FROM HARRY COHEN MP

QUOTE: TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE IF HE WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION ERRORS ON THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION BEING BUILT AT DAYA BAY 30 MILES FROM THE CITY CENTRE IN HONG KONG.

UNQUOTE

2.

WE PROPOSE TO ANSWER AS FOLLOWS: QUOTE: CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE CONCRETE PLACEMENT OF THE SECOND LAYER OF THE UNIT 1 REACTOR RAFT AT THE DAYA BAY PLANT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE 15 SEPTEMBER. FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY THAT 316 OF THE PLANNED 576 STEEL REINFORCEMENT BARS FOR THE FIRST AND LOWEST

OF THE FIVE LAYERS HAD BEEN OMITTED. THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT ARE CONSIDERING REMEDIAL ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THE FINISHED CONSTRUCTION WILL STILL COMPLY WITH ALL THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WE ARE SATISFIED THAT ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED ATTACH THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO CONSIDERATIONS OF SAFETY AND TO THE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT

THESE ARE NOT COMPROMISED

3.

UNQUOTE.

WE HAVE SEEN RECENT PRESS REPORTS. BUT NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION. THAT WORK HAS STARTED AGAIN. GRATEFUL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT ANSWER DESKBY 28120UZ.

HOWE

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