CONFIDENTIAL
Hong
risk of a contrary decision by the Hong Kong ATLA which could
effectively block any service by a second British airline.
Kong and General Department do not agree that the DOT should
remain "neutral" as suggested in Mr Roberts' letter, but
accept that as the problem may in any case solve itself the
question of Ministerial intervention can be considered after
the CAA decision has been announced.
7.
In the meantime there is no objection to a reply being
sent to Hong Kong telno 959 on the general lines proposed by
the DOT. As we have made some slight amendments to their
original text it should however be cleared with them again.
In sending the text to Mr Roberts, we could usefully clarify
i
a further point about the nature of consultations with the
Hong Kong Government while an appeal is pending (para 3 of
attached draft letter).
Anne Stoddart
17 August 1979
Miss A E Stoddart
Maritime, Aviation and
Environment Department
CC:
Mr Quantrill, HK&GD
CONFIDENTIAL