(F 2963/80/10)
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.".1.
22nd May, 1940.
2
35
118) yeny
73
lopy to Morley (32)
Dear Gent,
With reference to my letter No. F 2535/80/10
of the 30th April, I enclose a copy of a memorandum about the assembly of transport aircraft for the Chinese Government at Hong Kong which was left with me by the Counsellor to the Chinese Embassy on the 14th May.
2. I asked Dr. Chen whether the parts could not be sent to Rangoon, transported northwards and assembled inside China. He replied that this was very difficult because of the immense size of the cases containing the parts, which it would be almost impossible to convey overland from Bhamo.
3. I accordingly undertook to consider, after consulting you, whether there was anything we could do for the Chinese in this matter. In view of the Cabinet decision referred to in our previous correspondence on this subject we can clearly not sanction the assembly of these aircraft in Hong Kong. I should, however, be glad to learn your views on the suggestion, put forward in my letter under reference, that His Majesty's Government or the Government of Hong Kong might purchase the aircraft.
4. I am sending a copy of this letter to Reynolds at the Air Ministry, for any observations he may have to offer.
Yours sincerely,
G.E. J. Gent, Esq., D.S.O., 0.B.E.
folly Clarkan