24.
948245/29. 30
Notes of a meeting held in Room 24, Gwydyr House, at 11 a.m. on 10th September, 1929, to consider the possibility of taking steps to further the interests of the British Aircraft Industry in China.
Present:-
Air Vice Marshal Sir W. Sefton Brancker,
K.C.B., A.F.C. (D.C.A.) (In the Chair) Mr. F.G.L. Bertram, C.B.E. (D.D.C.A.). Squadron Leader A.R. Boyle, M.C. (A.I.). Squadron Leader R.W. Chappell (A.I.). Major 0.G. G. Villiers, D.S.O. (C.A.3.). Mr. F. Tymms, M.C. (C.A.4.).
Mr. W.S. Toller.
Mr. H.A. Ottewill.
Mb. G.E.J. Gent, D.S.J., M.C. Mr. W.K. Andrews (C.A.l.).
Air Ministry
Foreign Office. Department of
Overseas Trade. Colonial office. Air Ministry.
meeting.
A memorandum was circulated immediately before the
1.
It was stated on behalf of the Air Ministry that the Society of British Aircraft Constructors are kept posted with all information, as regards the development of aviation in China, likely to be of interest to the industry. The Board of Overseas Trade representative expressed the view that while individual British Companies are active in China little was being done there by the Society as a body. D.C.A. said that the Secretary of State for Air intended to speak to the Society on the subject of civil aviation in South America and promised to suggest that the case of China should be mentioned at the same time.
2.
On the question of a British mission to China the Air Staff representatives said that although an application through diplomatic channels for a Service mission would be considered, it was not desired to encourage such an application.
After discussion it was decided that the possibility of sending an ex-Service mission to China on the lines of the Sempill Mission to Japan, but on a smaller scale, should be explored.
(a) It was agreed that the fact that the Service side had been asked to train Chinese pilots in this country but could only accept a smaller number than the Chinese desired to send might be taken as a basis for suggesting that a more satisfactory plan would be to send a small staff to China to train pilots there instead. The Air Ministry (C.A.3) will therefore get in touch with the Master of Sempill in order to prepare a rough estimate of the cost of a mission on "Sempill" lines.
(b) As a possible alternative the Chinese authorities might send selected officials here for training on civilian lines in the same way as a few Egyptians are at present being trained in England.
P.T.C.
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