CONFIDENTIAL
B
SAS/HONG KONG
1.
There have been no recent developments.
governmental talks have been inconclusive.
Inter-
Further technical
discussions are being held by DTI with the Scandinavians.
is likely that these too will be inconclusive.
2.
It
Mr Royle may like to reassure the Governor that he is
fully aware of the importance the latter attaches to the
granting of a Hong Kong route to SAS, and shares his concern
over the repercussions should the service be denied. However,
as the Governor is aware (the Hong Kong Director of Civil
Aviation has attended the inter-governmental UK/Scandinavian discussions) the DTI is the UK Department responsible for
granting air traffic rights and they do not see sufficient
aviation grounds for agreeing to this service.
3. Mr Royle may wish to tell the Governor that in conjunction
with Mr Heseltine he intends to seek a decision from his
ministerial colleagues.
informed.
Naturally
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
7 September 1973
CONFIDENTIAL
we shall keep the Governor