Airport, Deepwater Bay

Oral Answers to Questions — Hong Kong – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 December 1949.

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Photo of Sir Arthur Harvey Sir Arthur Harvey , Macclesfield 12:00, 14 December 1949

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if work has commenced on the new airfield at Deepwater Bay, in the new territory of Hong Kong; and what progress has been made.

Mr. Creech Jones:

The Government of Hong Kong have agreed that the Air Ministry should undertake the survey and design of the new airport and supervise its construction. An Air Ministry engineer has paid a preliminary visit to the site and arrangements are now being completed for the despatch of the full survey equipment and staff in January.

Photo of Sir Arthur Harvey Sir Arthur Harvey , Macclesfield

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that his reply is most unsatisfactory? This matter has been discussed for the last three years. Does he further realise that the air traffic through Hong Kong is the third highest in the world in respect of any airport, and could earn valuable dollars? Will he do what he can to expedite this work?

Mr. Creech Jones:

It is quite true that the airfield is of comparable size to London Airport, but the problem is one of great complexity as problems of security and defence are involved, and also questions of finance. There are other problems all of which have had to be settled before much progress could be made, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the wheels are now going round.

Photo of Mr William Gallacher Mr William Gallacher , Fife Western

Would not the Secretary of State seriously consider having discussions with the Chinese Liberation Government about the work going on there in view of the fact that the new airfield will become their property?