DRAFT NEW PARAGRAPH (TO BE NUMBERED 14)
OF THE REVISED DRAFT PAPER ON
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
85
14. A decision on the question whether, if and when the
New Territories are discussed with the Chinese, we are going
to insist on the continued control of installations in the
New Territories, is urgently required, in connection with the
proposal for the construction of a new airfield in the
Colony. It has been strongly represented by the Governor
and others that it is essential for the Colony to have an
airport of international standing if it is to regain and
retain its former importance and prosperity. There is only
an
one possible site for such an airport in the ceded part of
the Colony. It is estimated that it would cost over
£10 million and take 4 years to construct the airport on that
site, and there is also the possibility that further
examination may disclose insuperable technical difficulties.
The alternative site is in the New Territories and it is
estimated that the cost of construction there would be less
than half the above estimate, or approximately £4 million,
and the period of construction only 18 months, as compared
with 4 years. Before, however, a final decision could be
taken in favour of the alternative site in the New
Territories, it would clearly be necessary to have some
assurance of continued control over the airport, in the
event of the unexpired period of the lease, which is
approximately 50 years, being substantially curtailed.