00 100
2
Ref.
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leallet
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
Cai Tak Aerodrome, the only one in the
topographical considerations; it is
aeronautical point of view for most
and twin-engined aircraft, but four-
early days of the Military Adminis-
t all. This prohibition has since
relaxed, particularly as regards
t, but the fact remains that by reaS ON
steep hills which surround it, this
R.A.F. authorities to be of very
ircraft of the four-engined type.
f the above facts can be readily
the Chiefs of Staff Committee's
the Colony must rely ontirely for
nt of an emergency on units of the
er bases, possibly in the face of
einforcement of the Army garrison,
ced to one Brigade, would have to be
short notice, from Singapore. It is
reinforcement of the permanent
ing should be at all times possible,
ore suitable aerodrome with adequate
available it would be most unwise to
I extent, on this possibility. I EN
roraft cannot be operated from Kai
his fact, no matter how rapid the
Ison from other basen, it would be
Lon in the air during the hours of
Fet would be in all respecta acceptable
-3-
00 101
cm:
Bal
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyngi
to the R.A.F. authorities here, and an airfield constructed on that site would from the outset be developed on a military and a commercial
basin.
The R.A.F. and the Military authorities are willing to accept the proximity of the proposed site to the borders of this territory on the grounds that aeronautical requirements should, from the Service point of view, as from the civil point of view, be regarded as paramount.
I have already suggested in my confidential despatch referred to in paragraph 1 that part of the cost of the proposed air-
I trust that the consideration field should be borne by the Air Ministry.
6.
outlined a cove may form a useful basis for any representations which may
be meds to the Air Hinistry on this subject.
7.
I understand from conversa ti ons that I have had with the Allied Air Commonlar-in-Chief, South East Asia and more recently with reprosentatives of the Air Ministry, including the Air Member for Supply and Organization, the t if the cost were to be apportioned equally between the Air Ministry, the Kinistry of Civil Aviation and the Colony,- that is to syy, if such ware to pay one third of the total cost, the arrang-nt woul Le in accordance with proposals that are already under consideration for other airfields and would be regarded by the Air Ministry 5. reasonable. This Government would also consider such an apportionment sonable and it might therefore be taken as a basis for discussion, but
ad repeat the request ands in paragraph 10 of my despatch of the ember, that zemral approval of the scheme should be given as
Bible and that its acceptance should be made the mibject of
on to the Chinese Government and thereafter of a public
ith the leest possible delay, and should not await final
to the ultimate apportionment of the cost.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
ๆๆ
j