CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 686

Tel. No. HOLBORN 3434, Ext.............

3.8439.

00172

MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION,

34+

ARIEL HOUSE,

2

Cms

Ref.:

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

CO 537/1427

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

Dear Vile,

STRAND,

LONDON, W.C.2.

23rd April, 1946.

I must apologise for the delay in answering your letter No. 54145/14/46 of the 2nd April about a civil airport for Hong Kong. I was endeavouring to get hold of a copy of the report of the joint committee for which you asked, and I now enclose one nerewith.

You will observe that a modern civil airfield at Deep Bay, even if it consists of only one runway 2,000 Yds by 50 Yds will cost over £2,750,000, In our view the primary responsibility for such an airfield lies with the Colonial Office and the Colonial Government, and it is unlikely that this Ministry would be able to find a very large contribution to the oost. The Air ministry have made it plain that they are not prepared to contribute anything.

It therefore seems that the first step is to ask you whether, in your view, an airfield of this size at Hong Kong is necessary, and if so, how would you, propose that it should be financed.

H.K. (43.

Yours sincerely,

Watcliffe Cousins

(23)

R.J. Vile, Esq.

Colonial Office,

Palace Chambers, Bridge Street,

S.W.1.

Ins

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