-6.
on the cabotage route between Hong Kong and London
because the monopoly services operated by BA have
proved unsatisfactory and inadequate. It considers
that there would be advantages if one of the competitors
were a Hong Kong based airline, but is primarily
concerned that the competing airlines should be able
to demonstrate an ability to operate a full range of
scheduled flights in a manner which takes full account
of the needs of the travelling public in Hong Kong as
well as promoting tourism and travel between Hong Kong
and London. Such airlines should still satisfy the
licensing authority as to their competence and ability
to initiate and maintain a suitable standard of service.
13.
Government has already made representations
about the standard of service currently being provided
by BA.
These representations reflect the indignation
of the public and the Government itself, and there is
evidence with our instructions which gives weight to
these representations.
It is however unnecessary to
review that evidence here, because the issues should
be debated before the licensing authority.
14.
It is apparent from the provisions of the
Act read with the Guidance that if the question of
issuing a licence to a competing airline on the
London/lieng Kong route were determined as things stand
at present the applicants would be virtually bound to
fail unless BA consented to one of the applications
Part 1 (see especially Cmd. 6400 para. 7). If, surprisingly,