TNAG-0870-FCO40-1080-Air-services-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-1979 — Page 95

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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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