FO371-46258 — Page 55

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SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

WARNING This message must be thoroughly paraphrased if its text is to be published or communicated outside British or American Services or Departments. If re-transmitted unparaphrased other than through the Cabinet Office, the originator must mark the message to be sent in One-Time Pad.”

64

IMMEDIATE

C.-in-C. Hong Kong.

Cabinet Offices.

From:-

To:-

Info:-

S. A. C. S. E. A.

IZ

10173 Ti0.0. 310636Z T. 0. R. 312305Z

X. COS B

31st October, 1945.

For Chiefs of Staff.

Further to my 310634.

Any deferment in decision to build airfield has following implications.

1.

Equipment and personnel are fully effective and delay will inevitably reduce efficiency of force arising from dilution of labour caused by release obligations.

2.

Initiation of project now will take fullest advantage of remaining favourable weather and working conditions. Any delay will result in building programme being extended into bad weather with disproportionate increase in overall time for completion of project.

3

Further economical employment of high proportion of airfield constructional personnel in Colony is directly dependent upon initiation of Ping Shan site. Delay now will result not only in wastage of skilled labour, but may also lead to discontent by tradesmen who are well aware of the urgency of reconstruction at home to which their trades can be applied.

Circulation. Defence Office. Foreign Office.

First Sea Lord.

C.6. Tels. War Office.

A.M.C.S.(C).

T.0.0. 310636Z

S. of S. Dominions.

S. of S. Colonies.

of S. India.

Minister of War Transport C.C.O.

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