54
In any
light of despatch (1) in 3665/28 Secret, it was decided that
Mr. Dawson's suggestions of sites at Kamtin or at Sheung Shui
were not as yet matters for discussion in the Colony; they turn
on the requirements of the Air Ministry. In the terms of the
despatch however it was necessary to know whether Kwanti became
an area which should be included in the Return asked for as
possible aerodrome. Mr. Dawson's view was that it might make
an emergency aerodrome but was not a first class site.
case for use as anything but an emergency aerodrome it would
need very considerable extensions across the Sheung Shui Sha-
Tau-Kok Road. (See plan attached to his report). He was of the
opinion that the Government would not be justified in proceeding
to resumption of the Kwanti area on the grounds that it was
required for public purposes as an aerodrome until the matter
had been further considered by the Air Ministry and it was
decided to continue action on the lines now being taken, that is,
the Government negotiations for the purchase of the ground in the
ordinary market were to continue but no further action was to be
taken except to restrict building activities in the immediate
vicinity.
I agree that the above Memorandum is a correct and
complete record of the Conference with the following exception: -
I was unable to agree that the proposed acquisition
referred to in paragraph 1 would not be ultimately required for Civil Aviation as well as for Royal Air Force purposes. I
referred to the fact that at Croydon it had been found necessary
to provide a very large Aerodrome and that I considered the
extension was necessary to provide a first class Aerodrome to
give satisfactory facilities for Civil Aviation in the future as
well as to meet Royal Air Force requirements.
184 Vet. 1988
7 M
Whe
Dawhu