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therefore much consideration is being given both nationally and inter- nationally to manning standards and certification and changes will undoubtedly follow. But, in the short term, I would doubt whether the registration of ships under current legislation could be made more attractive in Hong Kong in the way envisaged by Mr Pao.
4 On the point concerning the possible adoption by Hong Kong of a
nationality requirement in connection with the manning of their ships which differs from that applied to UK registered ships, it would appear that the Hong Kong Legislature could repeal in respect of ships registered in Hong Kong the current requirements applicable by virtue of Section 91 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894. To do this they would presumably act under the powers provided by Section 735(1) of that Act. But this would require confirmation by Order in Council and, as the Director of Marine correctly states, extensive consultation would be required before such action under this Section could be taken. We would, I feel, need to consider very carefully the implications, which could be far-reaching, of the introduction of a radical change of this kind between our marine legislation and that of a dependent territory such as Hong Kong.
As to the other points dealt with in the letter from the Director of Marine our comments are as follows.
TONNAGE MEASUREMENT AND CREW ACCOMMODATION
The crew accommodation has to comply with the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1953 as amended. The application of these requirements as set out in the Director of Marine's letter is gener- ally acceptable. The ILO Maritime Conference held in Geneva in October 1970 had crew accommodation on its agenda and produced a supplementary Convention which raised certain of the existing inter- national standards.
FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES AND LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES
7 By Section 37 of the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1953 the
Rules for life-saving appliances made by the "Minister" under Section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 apply to Hong Kong in respect of:
a. passenger steamers plying on international voyages;
b. passenger steamers plying on short international voyages;
C.
foreign-going steamships (except steamships, such as sal- vage tugs, dredgers and the like, declared by the Governor in Council to be special service craft) not certified for the carriage of passengers.
2.