CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 568

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Copy for Hong Kong papers

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1922 2292.30

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Extract from the Note of a Meeting on Gander Airport, Newfoundland, held at Inveresk House on 21st August, 1946.

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaßel 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

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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 copyrigh

HONG KONG

8.

Development of Hong Kong still seemed uncertain, and the provision of an international airport there would be very expensive, something in the region of £4,000,000. MR. RATCLIFFE-COUSINS stated that, for the purposes of our trunk routes, Canton, which was only 60 miles away from Hong Kong and a very suitable airport, could be used.

MR BIGG said that a telegram had been received from Hong Kong stating that proposals were on the way for financing the cost of a new airfield there. At present he had no idea what these proposals were, but he considered it most unlikely that the expenses could be met out of Hong Kong's present resources. MR. GORELL-BARNES considered that if

it were not necessary for the trunk service to go to Hong Kong, then no cost should fall on M.C.A. Votes for its development. THE CHAIRMAN said that he understood that there were reasons why we should use Hong Kong, but LIR. RATCLIFFE-COUSINS explained that this was mainly a question of the Colonies prestige and that from the point of view of flying operations there was no reason why Canton should not be used, which was a perfectly good airfield. It was considered, therefore, that as Hong Kong would mainly be used for local commercial reasons, Hong Kong would have to meet the expenses. Otherwise Canton should be used.

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