CO129-585-10 Assembly of aeroplanes in Hong Kong 8-1-1940 - 31-7-1940 — Page 59

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TELEPHONE:

HOLBORN 3434.

Extn.. 5322

Any communications on the subject of this letter should be addressed to:-

THE UNDER SECRETARY

OF STATE,

and the following number quoted :—

S.43698/S.6

Sir,

2 1940

Y

5.

59

AIR MINISTRY, Dept.OA

LONDON, W.C.2.

31st January, 1940.

541-135

I am commanded by the Air Council to state for the information of the Secretary of State for Colonies that they have had under consideration Mr.Gent's letter of the 2nd January 53846/39 with enclosure, concerning the request of the Inter- Continent Corporation for permission to assemble at Kai Tak one Condor and three Vultee commercial transport aircraft belonging to the Chinese Government.

2.

The Condor commercial transport aircraft is a recognised civil type which is primarily used for freight carrying; but like many civil types of aircraft it could be adapted for military use, particularly for such purposes as troop carrying. It is understood that the Chinese Eurasian Aircraft Company has five new Condor transport aircraft on order. This Company conducts a regular service between Hong-Kong and Chungking.

A/m phoned

correction mas

3.9/2

8%

The Chinese Air Force has a number of military Vultee aircraft, but the single-engine Vultee transport aircraft which carries 20 passengers, is quite distinct from the Vultee military type. According to the Council's information the Russian Government bought some of the civil type in 1937.

4.

The question whether permission should be given to the Chinese Government to erect the four aircraft now under consideration at Kai Tak is a matter on which the Council suggest the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should be consulted on the basis of the facts as set out above. In circumstances prevailing in China there are comparatively few types of aircraft which might not be made of use for military purposes with slight adaptation: the question for decision, therefore, is whether this fact should be regarded as decisive and permission refused for the erection even of aircraft of recognised civil types. In this connection I am to point out that aircraft without military equipment are not in peace-time classed as munitions of war although an export licence is necessary before they can be sold abroad.

5.

A copy of this letter is being sent to the Foreign Office. the Admiralty and the War Office.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

S.W.1.

NATIONAL

SCHEME

3W

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

4.9.5. Reynolds