[GUIDELINE]
DSR 11C
DRAFT UK REPLY TO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
1. HMG shares the Australian Government's
desire for cheaper air fares between Australia
They
and the UK. Th would help to cement still further
the close relationship between the two countries.
2. We find the Australian proposal of end to
end scheduled services, low fares and high
aircraft utilisation on the trunk route between
the UK and Australia interesting and attractive.
If such a scheme could be introduced in an
orderly and acceptable manner and subject to
solutions being found to certain practical
problems identified in the talks, we would cooperate
3.
in the implementation of the Australian proposals.
The Australian proposal in respect of the
Australia/UK route have important implications for
a number of third countries, notably Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand and India. We understand that
the Australians intend to open negotiations with
these countries. We should welcome the opportunity
to consider these proposals further with the
Australian authorities in the light of those
discussions.
4. We are not yet in a position to respond to
the Australian proposal in respect of the routes
between Hong Kong and Australia.