MS 77/23/014 K/SHO 917/6/67
4648
66
5th October, 1967.
Dear Waddingham,
Proposed visite of H.S. "SAVANNAH" to Hong Kong
This is to confirm our telephone conversations yesterday. You told me that visit of the "SAVANHAH" to Hong Kong (originally I understand due for 3rd October) 7th October had slipped, and at present she was due to be in Hong Kong perhaps until 12th or 13th October. However this date could slip further and the monitoring team had to be in Singapore on 17th October.
2. I understand you have told the Hong Kong authorities that the monitoring team must leave on 17th October at the latest. I confirmed that the Board of Trade requirements about having a monitoring team on shore remained unchanged. Unless told to the contrary, the Hong Kong authorities will no doubt assume this to be the case.
I subsequently telephoned Mr. Lyons, American Shipping Attaché here, and told him of the difficulties should the "SAVANNAH's" time-table slip still further. I told him that the Board of Trade's requirement for a monitoring team remained unchanged; so, on the face of it, the visit might have to be postponed should the "SAVANNAH's” time- table slip beyond 17th October. We discussed, however, the possibility of the United States providing the necessary personnel and equipment to` act on the orders of your team, should the "SAYANNAH's" stay in Hong Kong span 17th October. However, he would cable the States and make sure there was no misapprehension about the position.
I also told Mr. Lyons that we were looking at the question whether some modifications might be made to our present requirements as regards future visits, but that it might take some time to iron this out.
I am copying this to Gaminara (C.0.), Denson and Young (F.0.), and Ritchings (U.K.A.E.A.).
R. 318.
P.A on Savannah file
AMG
6.10.47
R. L. Waddingham, Esq., Shore Division (Kaval), Ministry of Defence,
Old War Office Building, Whitehall, S.W.1.
Yours sincerely,
LAST
REF.
NE..!
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(S. I. Burbridge)
G