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our point of view seems to me that it will leave Hong Kong with strong suspicions about DOT's intentions. The more DOT argue now that
they cannot intervene in "due processes" the less likely Hong Kong are to believe that Ministers would ever overturn a CAA decision bared
those procenes.
om
6.
here
The DOT have suggested that members of the Hong Kong ATLA should attend the CAA hearing as observers and that the ATLA should hold its own hearing after all the processes a meaning including any decision on appeal have been completed. This does not of course avoid the possibility of a conflict but I see no way round this. I can understand the DOT's objections to a joint hearing which is not provided for in any legislation and which would have to be followed by a directive from the Secretary of State giving effect to its decision. A procedure of this kind would think undoubtedly be strongly contested by the British airlines.
6 August 1979
CC:
Anne Stoddart
Miss A E Stoddart Maritime, Aviation and Environment Department
Miss Brown
Mr Gardiner, Legal Advisers
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