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one-half of this expenditure on the ground that the
enlargement will be of equal value for civil purposes
and for the Royal Air Force.
Notwithstanding that the
work was undertaken by the Hong Kong Government without
any express understanding as to the incidence of the cost
the Air Council are satisfied having regard to the
inadequacy of the existing aerodrome in relation to
contemplated developments arising from the decision to
station additional Air Force units in Hong Kong that the
extension meets an essential need towards the cost of
which they would have felt compelled to recommend a
contribution of 50 per cent. had they been consulted before
the work was put in hand. They accordingly propose a
contribution to the Hong Kong Government of an estimated
sum of $150,000 as a charge to Air Vote 4 Subhead E.
In reply I am to request you to convey to the
Air Council Their Lordships' sanction for a contribution
from Air Votes up to one-half of the actual cost of this
work,