TEL. NO. HOLBORN 3434.
Any communications on the subject of this letter should be addressed to :—
THE SECRETARY,
AIR MINISTRY,
ADASTRAL HOUSE,
KINGSWAY,
LONDON, W.C.2.
and the following number quoted :—
S.28505 (F.W.)
NATIONAL
FORD
SCHEME
DISABLED
MEN
13
AIR MINISTRY,
LONDON, W.C. 2.
31th
31 October, 1935.
32
hoian 1+3
Ano (14)
Sir,
SECRET
I am commanded by the Air Council to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that following the decision of His Majesty's Government to provide additional air facilities in the Far Cast and to improve the defences of Hong Kong, it has become necessary to provide for the establishment of an operational aerodrome in the New Territories at Hong Kong.
2.
The site selected is at Patheung and proposals for the acquisition of the land and construction of the aerodrome have been laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, who have intimated that while they approve the proposal in principle and assent to the necessary measures for the construction of the aerodrome being under- taken, they wish to reserve, for further consideration in consultation with the Departments interested, the terms on which the land shall be transferred for the use of the Royal Air Force.
3. Failure to commence work on the landing ground during the current dry season will seriously delay the provision of the facilities required for the additional squadron to be located at Hong Kong, and the Air Officer Commanding, Far East, has therefore been instructed to endeavour to obtain possession of the site, on condition that the terms of acquisition shall be such as may be finally agreed upon between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Hong Kong.
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office,
S.W.1.
/4.