DRAFT LETTER TO MR JOHN SWIRE FROM A WARRINGTON
ATTACHMENT B
You and your colleagues have been good enough to keep George Rogers on
the civil aviation side and myself in Air Division in touch with the
progress of Cathay Pacific's consideration of the alternative means
of meeting their requirements for wide-bodied aircraft. In discussion
on various occasions over recent weeks Sir Peter Thornton, George Rogers
and I have mentioned the importance of this decision not only in
relation to the size of Cathay's ultimate order, but also because of
the influence it would be bound to have on potential sales to a number
of other airlines in the Far East. We have explained how much the
British Government has committed to Rolls Royce (1971) Ltd and the
RB211 which powers the Lockheed Tristar and have discussed the potential
size of the exports which Rolls Royce consider might follow if you order
the Tristar.
As you know, it is our hope that the Cathay Pacific Board will take
into account all relevant factors when considering their decision.
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