2
the London/Hong Kong route.
Between 13.9.79 and the date of the hearing, the Governor, not the Hong Kong Government, appointed three members to the ATLA.
Before the appointment of the three new members, the ATLA comprised a Chairman and six members. The three new members were appointed for the following reasons:
(a) Mr. T.R. Thompson
(b) Mr. Y.L. Kan
(c) Mrs. Maxine Kwok
appointed from 1.10.79 to 31.12.79 for his expertise in air services matters.
- appointed from 1.10.79 to 31.12.80
to replace Mr. CHAU Kai-yin, who had died the day after his appointment on 1.9.79.
appointed from 1.10.79 to 31.12.79 to serve as deputy member during the temporary absence from Hong Kong of one of the ATLA members, Mr. LO Kwee-
seong.
The three members were appointed by the Governor to ensure that the Licensing Authority was properly constituted to conduct a major public hearing, and certainly not to carry out the Government's wishes as Sir Freddie has suggested.
With respect to the so-called "resignations" which are mentioned in Sir Freddie's letter, after the meeting between the ATLA and the parties on 10.11.79, the ATLA decided that in view of Laker's objections, two ATLA members, Messrs. Osmond and Bell, should not take part in the London/Hong Kong inquiry. These members did not, however, resign and both are still members of the ATLA. It is relevant that the ATLA is constituted in such a way that, subject to there being a quorum (4), it is not necessary for all of its members to attend a hearing. It is also worth noting that the current terms of office of Mr. Bell and Mr. Osmond commenced on 1.1.79 and 1.7.78 respectively and so their non-participation in the London/Hong Kong hearing is in no way relevant to Laker's allegation concerning the appointment of members after Government's views had been made public.
It might be useful if you were to add, after paragraph 3 of your draft reply, that as the Laker Group solicitor has indicated that the proposed 5th to 8th August 1980 dates for a public hearing of the trans-Pacific applications are inconvenient to Laker Airways, the Chairman of the ATLA has decided to postpone the hearing until further notice.
BDK/NL/vc
Dill
(B.D. Keep)
Director of Civil Aviation
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