CO129-498-13 Recommendations to strengthen defences against overseas attack- practicability of Air Ministry proposals and estimate of... 18-2-1926 - 18-2-1926 — Page 7

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undertaken for the defence of Hongkong. Whatever

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the potential value of Commercial Aircraft may

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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, Commercial

conditions were to call for a Commercial Air

Service at Hongkong, the Air Ministry would

encourage such development. The desirability of establishing an Air Base at Hongkong, 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

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carefully watched."

The considerations of Police and of civil aviation demand foresight in the provision of space for a shore aerodrome and in my view the time is not far distant when the development of military aviation in China will demand a modification of "these proposals for an Air Base". It is necessary in any event, having regard to the dearth of suitable aerodrome sites in this Colony to be prepared for the possibilities to which the "Notes" refer.

7.

The adequate defence of this Colony demands the continuous presence of aircraft: and proper provision even for seaplanes includes space ashore. The Hermes has latterly utilised, as has been stated in paragraph 5 above, a small portion at the west

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