CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 418

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"high-class modern n cines flown by skilled foreign pilots.

"It is not the olicy of the Air Staff to utilise seaplanes for action of this nature, since though they have undoubtedly a certain capacity for offence and defence, they are inferior in this respect to landplanes of a corresponding class.

It is

"The establishment of a Volunteer Air Unit, which richt perhaps combine defence, commercial and police functions is a question which falls under a different category to that of forming a Service Air Base. intended shortly to review the strength and provision of local Defence Forces for all British Colonies, with a view to making recommendations to Colonial Governments. Until this enquiry is completed, the Air Staff are not in a position to state positive views as to the formation of a local Air Unit at Hongkong.

"The development of a commercial Air Base cannot be olassified with any measures undertaken for the defence of Hongkong. Whatever the potential value of Commercial Aircraft may be for War purposes, the development of a Commercial Service should proceed on purely Commercial

lines.

"In short the Air Ministry will not, under present conditions attempt to establish an Air Base at Hongkong. If, however, Cormorcial conditions were to call for a Commercial Air Service at Hongkong, the Air Ministry would encourage such developments The desirability of establishing an Air Base at Fongkong, if and when such a

course becomes practicable, should, however, be borne in mind, and any projected building construction which might have a restrictive influence on flying facilities on or in the vicinity of suitable sites for Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases should be carefully watched",

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