NOTE FOR: OR 0 G FELTON
I was very surprised to receive the copy of your letter of
21 September to Mr Dunbar.
When we spoke some seven weeks ago, I explained that It had
been decided to re-structure the way we handle technical
support for smoking and health - bringing in a number of
GR&OC scientists on a part-time basis for spectfic areas.
rather than having one Adviser an Smoktng Issues.
I indicated that since pressures on the cigarette industry
are developing at a fast rate, we wished to establish a new
structure as soon as possible, and as a result, we did not
see our way to maintaining your position beyond retirement
at age 60.
V-4 Intimated you wished to stay until age 61, but I explained
,, t the condition for extending retirement age to 62 was
dependent on the Company agreeing that the position In question
would continue - which in this case was not to be.
I then raised the question of a consultancy for aperiod of
one or two years and I recall that you accepted the suggestion
with enthusiasm. I proposed that It would probably be In
the order of one day's work per weak. I also said I would
confer with Bob Ely, but thought that It would be better for
SAT to consult you on specific issues rather than to attempt
to maintain a continuing involvement In communications an
smoking and health. We agreed that we should both give further
thought as to the details.
Finally, I raised the question of your successor on the TAC
Res*arch Committee. Although you suggested Or Ayres, I said
I favoured Or Thornton. You agred that whoever was chosen,
he should now accompany you to TAC meetings: I recall you
n't I oned the date of the next meeting. Although I know that
3-i Is free to nominate representatives to the Research
:ommittee, I wrote formally to Sir James as a matter of
:ourtesy. I very much regret that you, however, regarded the
:ommun as discourteous to yourself.
C F BLACKMAN
2 September 1982
00: When I discussed the matter at the TEC In July, it was
5-9giested that I should try to bring his retirement for rd
_40
tX months to the end of this year. On balance, however, I co
Lb ci ded it was better to let it run through to age 60 in
1- Mr G L Dennis
Mr D S Dunbar
BAT Co LTD - MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION