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.43698/S.6.
RECEN
2-15A 1938
SCHEME
NOTED DISA
MEN
SECRET.
AIR MINISTRY,
21- 178
LONDON, W.C. 2.
2 February, 1938.
3.
Sir,
I
With reference to Colonial Office letters No.53846/38
15 of the 21st January and the 10th February, 1938, and in
confirmation of telephonic conversation between Mr. Cowell and
Wing Commander Wigglesworth on the subject of the assembly of
aircraft in Hong Kong for delivery to the Chinese Government,
am commanded by the Air Council to acquaint you, for the
information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that,
while in their view it is difficult to assert, without qualifica-
tion, of any aircraft that it is incapable of conversion to
military use, they consider that the D.H. Rapide could be so
used only in an elementary sense without a considerable amount
of rebuilding.
2. The Air Council in these circumstances have no
objection, subject to the safeguards included in your telegram
No. 21 to the Governor of Hong Kong on the 28th January to
They do not
the assembly of the three ambulance aircraft.
consider, however, that approval should be given for the
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office,
Whitehall
S. W. 1.