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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' 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 copyright

CONFIDENTIAL. 2

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

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CO 537/1427

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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at this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

Please note testnctions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.

(43)

Sir,

ECEIVED

23 SEP 1946

COL. C

4th September, 1946.

22923/15/400

I have the honour to refer to your despatch No. 46

of 11th June, 1946 and to my confidential despatch of 9th August, 177)

1946, and to address you on the subject of the construction of an

international airport within the Colony.

2.

I have had under close consideration the report of

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the Mission headed by Air Commodore Darley, which visited Hong Kong

in February, 1946, and the whole question has been very fully dis-

cussed in the Executive Council. Mr. A. J. R. Moss, Director of

Air Services, who attended the discussion, reported that major

operators were unable to use the present airport at Kai Tak for

transcontinental four-engined aircraft and that Pan American Airways

were already negotiating with the authorities in Canton regarding

the use of an airfield there for such planes. This report is

confirmed by His Majesty's Consul-General in Canton and I enclose

for your information a copy of a despatch which was addressed to mo

by Mr. Ronald Hall on 13th August, 1946. The opinion of Council was

that it would be disastrous to Hong Kong's trade and position as K

centre of communications if a modern airport were not provided as

rapidly as possible. I thoroughly endorse this view and urge that

the construction of an airport, including one 3,170 yard rumway, be

commenced as soon as possible.

3.

The question of a suitable site has been discussed

at length and after due consideration of all alternatives, I have

reached the conclusion that the site at Deep Bay recommended by Air

Commodore Darley is the only practicable one for the project.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

GEORGE HALL, P.C., M.P.

RECEIVED

21 SFF 1946

D. RESY

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