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"As a result, I have learned the virtues of discretion, since I
have discovered that in such circumstances no amount of subsequent reasoning
about the less glamorous side of overseas travel
-
jetlag, the continuous
tight schedules, occasional stomach upsets and other hazards - is likely to
make any impression on a man harbouring a deep sense of personal injustice
at the ways of a world in which I am paid to take off periodically for
exotic sun-lit lands, while men no doubt better than I are condemned to
remain behind in their ministries and perform tasks almost es thankless as
Sisyphus in bleak, cold Whitehall,
"Many of you, however, are at least as familiar with the delights
and discomforts of inter-continental jet travel as I am. In devoting the
main part of my speech to civil aviation, I know that I am speaking to an
audience of experienced travellers with a particular interest in services
between London and Hong Kong. And perhaps for you the romance of travel is
less significant than the need for efficient services which arrive on time
and give the passenger value for money.
"I know also that my audience includes representatives of both
the producer and the consumer interest in civil aviation both the airline
operator and the frequent traveller. These are interests which I have to
weigh in discharging my responsibilities for civil aviation: indeed I am
bound by law to do so.
in its
"My overriding wish is of course to develop the United Kingdom
civil aviation industry generally. And in this I include Cathay
ability to compete with other international airlines around the world.
-
"In the House of Commons this afternoon I announced my decision
on the application by three new carriers to join British Airways in serving
the London-Hong Kong route. Before I came to my decision I was given a
good deal of advice on what I might do
some of it, I suspect, from members
/of my .....