CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 570

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CO 537/1427

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

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Terms and Conditions of supply

00068

CONFIDENTIAL

Proposals for an International

Airport in Hong Kong

1.

The construction of a military airfield at Ping Shan was approved by the Chiefs of Staff in January and Treasury approval in principle, together with an initial grant of £150,000, was obtained and the preparation of the site was put in hand. Doubt was, however, then thrown upon the suitability of the Ping Shan site and a Mission, headed by Air Commodore Darley, was sent to Hong Kong in February in order to determine whether a superior site were not available.

2.

This Mission suggested an alternative site called Deep Bay at an estimated cost of £3,826,500 for the construction of one runway 3,170 yds. by 100 yds. with dual taxiway, and an additional cost of £1,300,000 for the construction of a second runway 2,700 yds. by 100 yds, The estimated time for the construction of one runway was thirty months from the beginning of the work.

It was agreed that the selection of the Deep Bay site would involve delay in the construction of an airfield, but it was felt that this should be accepted in view of the greatly superior airfield that would result.

3.

In April, the decision was taken that there was no longer a current military requirement for a V.H.B. airfield in Hong Kong and that Kai Tak airfield, if suitably developed, would meet military requirements for the present. The responsibility for constructing a larger airfield in Hong Kong was, therefore, entirely a matter for the civil authorities.

4.

Thero was considerable local feeling about the requisition of the land required for the construction of the Ping Shan project and the incident gave rise to complaints from the Chinese authorities, as both Ping Shan and Deep Bay are situated in the leased territories (sometimes called the New Territories), the lease of which is due to expire in 52 years. The present situation concerning the Chinese attitude towards Hong Kong is one of some delicacy, as the Chinese Government have made informal approaches to H.M.G. with a view to conversations on the "Hong Kong problem", Our tenure of the New Territories may be affected by such convursations, and this is a factor which will have to be taken into account before a decision is taken on the Doep Bay project.

5.

The construction of a new airport in Hong Kong has been urged by business men both in London and in Honɛ Kong because the only other suitable airport for the reception of international traffic, that at Canton, is situated in Chinese territory. The Executive Council of the Colony has recorded the opinion that it would be disastrous to Hong Kong's trade and to its position as a centre of communications if a modern airport were not provided as rapidly as possible. The Governor has thoroughly endorsed this view and has urged that the airport should be constructed as soon as possible.

6.

The question of Finance is a difficult one. The Governor of Hong Kong has suggested that the proceeds of the sale of Kai Tak, which would no longer be required if Deep Bay were to be constructed, would amount to £672,000.

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1

2

Cms

CO 537/1427

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Ref.: 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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