15. QUESTION:
Why has Britain not made a loan for the extension of the
runway at Kai Tak Airport to enable it to take Jumbo Jets?
In view of the fact that this extension will primarily benefit
British aviation interests, do you not think that the British
Government is morally obliged to pay part of the cost?
ANSWER:
I very much regret that we cannot see any way at the
present time to help with this project.
Our balance of payments position has certainly shown
considerable improvement in recent months. But we cannot
afford to relax the measures that have led to this welcome
development.
It is true that British aviation interests are equally
concerned to see that the airport is maintained to adequate
international standards. But in our relationships with our
dependent territories there are mutual benefits to be derived;
and I would hope that any tendency to assess those benefits in
terms of a balance sheet could be avoided.
(If necessary)
I will, however, arrange for the position to be looked at
in about a year's time with a view to seeing whether it would
then be possible to help with financing the later stages of
the project.
+ Se