CO129-502-4 Acquisition of Kai Tak for an aerodrome- provision of funds 11-1-1927 - 12-5-1927 — Page 127

TEL. No. HOLBORN 3434.

communications on the

subject of this letter should be

addressed to :-

THE SECRETARY,

AIR MINISTRY,

ADASTRAL HOUSE,

KINGSWAY,

LONDON, W.C.2.

and the following number quoted :- S.23467/S.6.

NATIONAL

SCHEME

DISABLED

SECRET.

Sir,

6 130

AIR MINISTRY,

LONDON, W.C.2.

3rd February, 1927.

I am commanded by the Air Council to refer to

Foreign Office letter of the 22nd January, F.208/208/23, a

copy of which has been sent to your Department, and to previous

correspondence relative to the establishment of an aerodrome

at Hong Kong.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies will be

aware that the establishment of this aerodrome has now become

a matter of pressing importance in view of the recent

2. developments in China, and as the Foreign Office have now

agreed that the recommendations contained in the report of the

Chiefs of Staff Committee (C.I.D. Paper No. 762-B) can be

carried out without prior consultation with the Governments

of the United States and Japan, the Council are anxious that

no time should be lost in taking such measures as are possible

to render the Kowloon site available for the operation of

aircraft.

The landing ground at present available, which has

in the past been used for Fleet aircraft, is too small for

the operational uses for which it is likely to be required,

and as its completion to the size which may eventually be

required would probably take a considerable time, the Council

consider that it should be enlarged by gradual stages in order

to render it available for operations at the earliest possible

date.

I am to enclose, for Mr. Amery's information, a

copy of a telegram which was sent at the request of this

Department to the Commodore, Hong Kong, enquiring as to the

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

S.W.1.