Thank
En
Mr Laird
ビ
In Clawlin
দি
21%
Reference
HKK 21/6
23
five apoke what this torbay Sex 21/6.
проке
WORLD WIDE (SHIPPING) GROUP
REGISTRATION IN HONG KONG
1. You asked me to obtain DTI advice on the operation of the exemption device in respect of officer manning.
2. The application and conditions governing exemptions would be entirely a matter for the Hong Kong Director of Marine to decide. If he followed the UK pattern as he probably would, special dispensation could be given either:-
or
3.
(a)
(10)
on a running agreement for a specified period of time (in UK this would normally not exceed 6 months though Hong Kong could choose longer if they wished).
renewable whenever the Articles are closed (The Articles basically a contract between owner and crew are opened and closed at the owner's discretion but usually covering periods of much less than 6 months. From Mr Pao's point of view it would be more convenient if Articles were opened and closed in one
particular port - but this is unlikely to be possible.)
In either case (a) or (b), when the exemption has expired, the ship's master would have to approach the Marine Authority of the Commonwealth country involved who would then telex Hong Kong for permission to renew the exemption. This procedure would be facilitated if Hong Kong were prepared to circularise the Marine Departments of all Commonwealth countries likely to be involved, to the effect that certain vessels in Mr Pao's fleet were being treated in this manner.
4. The renewal of an exemption by another Commonwealth country would not be affected officially by the availability in that country of British senior merchant marine officers but, if (which is unlikely) a number
of officers in this category were unemployed, trade union objection might arise.
5. In order to ensure that powers of exemption in Britan are not applied indiscriminately, an annual report on the extent to which they have been used must be made to Parliament.
6. Perhaps most important of all is that in the eyes of other Commonwealth Governments, Hong Kong must not be seen to be adopting a temporary administrative expedient which cannot eventually be incorporated in the law. In other words, urgent steps should be taken to devise a satisfactory long-term solution covered by legislation.
16.
1
DD 737719 557664 500M 2/71 GM 3643/2