TNAG-1926-FCO40-2742-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Liaison-Group-sub-gro-1989 — Page 65

for

Jonathan Dart

SEND

FCO

BNSC

73

London

SW1A 2AH

Dear Jonathan

HK. COBI 5

cc31/5

1422/4

EXTENSION OF THE OUTER SPACE ACT 1986

Our Ref: ZF 288/08

3 July 1989

Thank you for your letter of 18 July enclosing the letter from Mr Ying proposing new local legislation modelled on the Outer Space Act 1986.

As you are aware the main purpose of the Act is to ensure compliance with certain international obligations by UK non-governmental entities. These obligations arise under the three United Nations Conventions cited by Mr Ying the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage caused by Space Objects and the 1975 Convention on Registration.

When the Outer Space Bill was being drawn up it was considered that only certain provisions of these three Conventions required legislation. I understand it was considered that the issues in the 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, Return of Astronauts, Return of Objects were already dealt with under the Immigration Act 1971 and the 1951 Refugee Convention. The UK is not a party to the 1979 Agreement governing the activities of states on the moon.

I hope the above is sufficient for you to respond to Mr Ying.

Yours sincerely

Patricia Judd

JOHN MILNE

CC Ms Richardson

(with incoming letter)

Mr Inglis

63

Челз

Copy sent to MR Yanny

Сору

in EDB, itic.

Pa

130/2/37.

ABPADG

BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QU

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