TNAG-1658-FCO40-2306-Daya-Bay-nuclear-power-station-project-safety-concerns-in-Ho-1987 — Page 338

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governments are conscious these days of the need for economy and

there are pressures on the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to

keep up their services yet to keep their costs down. However, in

the area of nuclear safety, there is no second chance, there is no

room for compromise, and there are no short cuts. The nuclear

regulatory authority is not a rubber stamp. It needs high calibre

personnel capable of identifying problem areas quickly, and it needs

the authority to make sure that any deficiencies are put right at

the earliest stage.

You have seen our own commitment. And we now see yours, highlighted

by the establishment of the National Nuclear Safety Administration

as an independent body. Your current visit to Britain, and indeed

your Administrations other recent visits to countries with developed

civil nuclear power programmes is evidence of a commitment to

develop the National Nuclear Safety Administration into a thoroughly

effective regulatory authority. This is most welcome to us. It

will also provide comfort to the people of Hong Kong, who, you will

be only too well aware, are conscious of their vulnerability to the

effects of a possible accident at Daya Bay.

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