X
6
Nanking which was sent as the result of a Cabinet
then
decision, and if it is, whether it is advisable to
fo the assembly
give much permission or not. The Foreign Office
telegram referred to "the assembly in British
territory of aeroplanes for delivery to China", which
seems to exclude civil aircraft, but that telegram
was sent as the result of a proposal for the assembly
of military aircraft in Hong Kong, and I am inclined
to think that it referred to military aircraft only,
in intention. If so, the question then arises
whether the assembly of passenger aircraft should be
permitted. Clearly they are liable to be used for
military purposes to some extent, e.g.,
recamaissance
or for military transport use. On the other hand,
their use for effective military purposes is certainly
very limited.
effe
I think
It would not be the duty of a neutral
to refuse facilities for their assembly in neutral
territory in time of war, and I venture to suggest
that permission should be granted.
? Copy 13 to Foreign Office and Air Ministry,
saying that the Foreign Office telegram to Nanking
On the
was sent as the result of discussion the scheme for
the assembly of military aircraft in Hong Kong, and that it appears to the Secretary of State that this it
intention was not to exclude assembly of civil
aircraft for China. As it would not be the duty of
a neutral, even if a formal state of war existed,
to refuse permission for the assembly of civil
aircraft for one of the belligerents, the Secretary
of State therefore suggests that permission should
be given for the assembly of these aircraft, provided
the impossibility of their being used for effective
military purposes can be verified before assembly,
and