2
4.
At the risk of being tedious, I must draw
your attention, yet again, to the reasons why we originally requested contributions from C.D. and W. funds. These are, basically, that these particular projects and other air traffic control facilities as well, are made necessary because of the steady increase in the numbers of aircraft movements at Hong Kong airport, and the need to continue to provide a safe and efficient air traffic control system free from excessive delay. These projects, in other words, were planned with a view to ensuring that H.M. Government's I.C.A.0. responsibilities for the safe and efficient operational functioning of Hong Kong airport are met,
5.
With some assistance from C.D. and W. funds in the past, we have sought to develop our air communi- cations facilities and maintain an acceptable standard of air safety. As you are doubtless aware, however, we are entering into a period of very heavy expenditure. Airport development is only one of many calls upon our limited resources and, in the view of some, not nearly as important as many others. The task of sorting out and allocating these competing calls, when each one is said to be urgent in itself, is far from easy. Continued assistance from H.M. Government in the field of civil aviation, which cannot be classified as a purely local responsibility, would help to ease the burden. In the absence of such assistance it will become progressively more difficult for us to give the priority we have managed so far to the development of civil aviation facilities and to fulfil H.M. Government's I.C.A.O. responsibilities.
Jours
Thing
(C.P. Haddon-Cave)