TNAG-2109-FCO40-3008-Outer-Space-Act-1986-extension-to-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 348

CONFIDENTIAL

171137 MDHIAN 8065 8005

(B) THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IS THE USUAL BODY EMPOWERED TO MAKE REGULATIONS IN HONG KONG UNDER. VARIOUS ORDINANCES. HENCE WE PROPOSE THAT THE SAME POWER BE CONFERRED ON THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON EXTENSION.

(C) SINCE THE EXTENSION OF THE ACT IS AN INTERIM MEASURE INTENDED TO COVER THE ASIASAT SATELLITE TO BE LAUNCHED IN APRIL, THE ACT AS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG ONLY NEEDS TO APPLY TO BODIES INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAW OF HONG KONG. WE DO NOT SEE A NEED TO INCLUDE ''UK NATIONALS'' ON EXTENSION. THE UK ACT AS IT NOW STANDS ALREADY APPLIES TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

(D) SECTIONS 4, 5 AND 6 OF THE ACT APPEAR TO BE REASONABLE PROVISIONS. WE WOULD LIKE TO RETAIN THEM SUBJECT TO CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS ON EXTENSION.

5. PARA 9 OF YOUR TELNO 333: ASIASAT WILL FORWARD DETAILS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STRUCTURE AND OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE BNSC FORM (BNSC1) TO BNSC DIRECT.

6. PARA 5 OF YOUR TELNO 350: MR T M SEDDON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ASIASAT, WILL COMPLETE THE LICENCE APPLICATION. WE UNDERSTAND THAT HE WILL BE MEETING BNSC TOMORROW IN LONDON TO DISCUSS DETAILS.

7. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ASIASAT RECENTLY THAT THE LAUNCH DATE FOR THE ASIASAT SATELLITE IS NOW FIXED ON 7 APRIL 1990, WHICH GIVES US EVEN LESS TIME THAN THE PREVIOUS TARGET DATE OF 13-20 APRIL 1990 TO COMPLETE THE LEGISLATIVE AND LICENSING PROCEDURES.

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