TNAG-0209-FCO40-245-Application-for-expansion-of-aeronautical-telecommunications-1969 — Page 21

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5. I' note in Steel's letter of 24 July the suggestion that funds might more appropriately be found for this purpose from Board of Trade votes.

This is not a matter on which I am qualified to

comment. But I do feel bound to observe that

assistance for aeronautical telecommunications has, in the past, been given from C.D. & W. funds and the last time Steel's finger pointed anywhere as a

possible source of assistance it was in your

direction. I refer to his letter of 28 March.

7.

Hong Kong has now indicated that a decision on the project cannot be much longer delayed. Moreover it will not be long before the considerable

Parliamentary interest in the question of our assistance for the project will be resumed. I must therefore shortly advise my Minister where our official consideration of the matter has taken us and

it would be helpful if I could have early replies to this letter, a copy of which (with enclosures) I am sending to Steel and Coe.

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