TNAG-0069-FCO40-105-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-propaganda-1967 — Page 52

40

OAR

ur reference:

r reference: TB 1207 ED/59/031.

BOARD OF TRADE (Civil Aviation),

A.O.P.A.1,

Shell Mex House, Strand, London W.C.2

Telex: 22110/22119 Telegrams: Civilair, London, Telex

Telephone: Temple Bar 1207, ext.

Pro/ic

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 65

196

19th October, 20 OCT 1967

19"

Dear Mr. Saker,

ATC 13/7 (158)

BOAC: Free Air Freightage of Hong

Kong Newspapers

In paragraph 2 of Hong Kong telegram No. 1355 of 7th September, about the attitude of major airlines and shipping companies to the promotion of travel to Hong Kong, an unfavourable comparison was made of BOAC's attitude with that of Pan Am's to air freighting Hong Kong newspapers free of charge to certain places overseas.

20

Our PI (CA) Branch was asked to comment on this and their reply is as follows:-

"Free carriage can only be undertaken by Pan Am without a breach of IATA regulations if they have received a Government directive; presumably the Hong Kong Government directed them. Technically they are still in breach since we have qualified the resolution dealing with Government directives to say that our specific approval must be obtained where carriage to and from the U.K. or British territories overseas is concerned. Presumably Hong Kong Government would be somewhat embarrassed if we leaked the information given in their telegram to IATA and Pan Am were heavily fined in consequence; therefore, propose to say nothing more on this head.

we;

With regard to BOAC, because of the policy considerations involved, we deprecate directives for free transport being given to the Corporations by other Governments. If the need arises for free transport we prefer the case to be referred to us and, if we think it is justified, we issue the directives ourselves. Prima facie, this case would not have been one where we would have considered a directive justified; we consider that Government business should be paid for by the Government and not subsidised by the airlines. However, this question apart, in view of our general attitude to the issuing of directives, the Corporations, with our approval, normally refuse to accept a directive from anyone other than us.

Mr. R. K. Saker

Aviation and Telecommunications Department

Commonwealth Office

5th Floor, Curtis Green Building

VICTORIA EMBANKMENT

London S.W.1.

REF.

RECEIVED IN

¬HIVES No. 63 25 OCT1967

HWA 10/22

13.