TNAG-1939-FCO40-2765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 3

XCC (89) 57

Accommodation

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Accommodation is the most immediately difficult part of the expansion plan. The RHKAAF's present headquarters is too small and, in any case, stands in the path of the proposed Kai Tak international airport expansion. It will eventually be relocated on the Kowloon Bay reclamation, but this cannot happen until the airport expansion goes ahead. Since the programme cannot wait, we have decided to build a temporary facility at Sek Kong, which will provide hanger space for the fixed-wing aircraft and a flying school for the Cadet Pilots.

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The latest estimate for the capital expenditure required to meet the expansion programme is $591.7 million over the period 1989/90 to 1994/5.

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const ant

Over the same five year period, it is estimated that recurrent expenditure will amount to

$240.6 million at 1988 prices. This excludes the effect of the proposal to transfer the RHKAAF to the General

General Disciplined Services (Officer) pay scale.

Disciplined Service Status

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it

would be necessary to revise

RHKAAF to reflect

to reflect its status and to remove its links with

In November 1986, Members were informed, in memorandum XCX (86) 207, that the legislation relating to the as a civilian disciplined force H.M. Forces. We int end that the RHKAAF should become a civilian disciplined department like the Police or the Customs and Excise Service. Its primary function will be to support the Police

Police in internal security operations, and disciplined service status is essential for that role. A disciplined service is also better suited than a non-disciplined other tasks, such as search and rescue.

service. It s

one

to

members

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The RHKAAF is a disciplined wear uniform and hold Royal Air Force type ranks. They are subject to discipline under the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force Ordinance, which provides for the making of disciplinary rules and applies the provisions of the United Kingdom Air Force Act to the unit. The disciplined nature of the RHKAAF is reflected in its operations.

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The only respect in which the RHKAAF is not a disciplined service is in its pay, its members being paid from the Master Pay Scale. This is an anomaly arising from the unit' s beginnings after the Second World War as all-volunteer auxiliary service.

The RHKAAF is now,

an

and has

CONFIDENTIAL