CO129-585-10 Assembly of aeroplanes in Hong Kong 8-1-1940 - 31-7-1940 — Page 6

x. The correspondenc

related to a festzuhal Woberal concerning 3 farrenger averaft

1997

Governor trusted that no objection would be

seen, mentioning that two civil air services are

running regularly between Hong Kong and Chungking. The Air Ministry in (5) indicate that these

are both civil types of aircraft, though there are

comparatively few types which might not be made use

of for military purposes with slight adaptations.

The question of the assembly of aeroplanes

in Hong Kong, admittedly destined for military use,

for the Chinese Government, was considered by a

Cabinet Committee in 1937 (see 22 on 7230/2/37).

The Committee pointed out (paragraph 14) the risk

of getting involved in difficulties with Japan and

the danger of inciden and doubted whether in the

long run the proposal would be advantageous to China.

They recommended the Cabinet not to entertain the

suggestion but to maintain the existing arrangements,

under which any aircraft reaching Hong Kong in

parts and destined for China were forwarded in

unassembled condition by such means of transport as

were available. This recommendation was accepted by

ts

,

the Cabinet on 17th November, 1937 (25 on

7230/2/37.)

The Cabinet decision had related only to

the assembly of aeroplanes admittedly intended for

military use. The question of assembly of civil

aeroplanes was considered in correspondence with the

Foreign Office and the Air Ministry in 1938. The

Foreign Office (19 on 53846/38) thought that the

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assembly of such aircraft should not be sanctioned,

"as it is virtually impossible to ensure that they

shall not be used for military purposes.

The

Air Ministry (21 on the same file) agreed with this

view.

As regards the present application, the

Foreign Office (in 1) indicate that they consider

it