TOP SECRET
Some years have now elapsed since the making of the Orders and we have therefore thought it advisable, before proceeding with the making of a further Order, to check this point with you and to make sure that there has been no change in the situation which might make it either necessary or desirable to extend the provisions of the new Order to cover the requisitioning of aircraft. One point that occurs to us in this connection is that if ships are provided under requisition but aircraft are provided by arrangement, the airlines might contend that they were being placed at a disadvantage in matters of insurance. We have no reason for believing that this is necessarily the case, but it is a point which we feel we should mention. We intend to clear the terms of the draft Order with the Governor of Hong Kong and it is possible that he himself may raise the matter of aircraft unless we deal with the point in referring the draft Order to him. I am accordingly writing to you, at the suggestion of our Aviation, Marine and Telecommunications Department, for your views on this aspect.
I should perhaps make it quite clear that the sole reason for this exercise is the routine one of keeping the Order in Council up to date. Like its predecessors it will not be published.
The latest reference to your own papers on this subject that I can give you is to a Top Secret letter dated No. SMC. 14/2/012 of 2 January, 1958, from L. G. Child in the then Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to K. G. Ashton at the Colonial Office.
I am copying this letter, without enclosures, to Axton (D.3.5, Ministry of Defence) and to Clayton, Sea Transport Branch, Board of Trade.
(A. W. Gaminara)
D. Riley, Esq. Room 446,
Civil Aviation 4(B),
Board of Trade,
Shell Mex House,
London, W.C.2.
TOP SECRET
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