TNAG-0374-FCO40-420-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 74

CONFIDENTIAL

B

SAS/HONG KONG

1.

There have been no recent developments.

governmental talks have been inconclusive.

Inter-

Further technical

discussions are being held by DTI with the Scandinavians.

is likely that these too will be inconclusive.

2.

It

Mr Royle may like to reassure the Governor that he is

fully aware of the importance the latter attaches to the

granting of a Hong Kong route to SAS, and shares his concern

over the repercussions should the service be denied. However,

as the Governor is aware (the Hong Kong Director of Civil

Aviation has attended the inter-governmental UK/Scandinavian discussions) the DTI is the UK Department responsible for

granting air traffic rights and they do not see sufficient

aviation grounds for agreeing to this service.

3. Mr Royle may wish to tell the Governor that in conjunction

with Mr Heseltine he intends to seek a decision from his

ministerial colleagues.

informed.

Naturally

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

7 September 1973

CONFIDENTIAL

we shall keep the Governor