Your ref: HKK 21/6 of

22nd April, 1971

Our ref: ECON 14/5061/70

M Clewly

ŠÉCRETARIAT.

ре с доволнист

(2017 ONE

an at t

Copay rent to

Her Hannam of D.T.I who

with ring hack ter 19/5

Ream 12.

Merchant Shipping Registry

HONG KONG,

below.

12" May, 1971

LAST

REF.

Dean Michael

Then asked

ch

ref. an @13/En

REF.

44

Since I wrote my letter in this series of 3rd February the Director of Marine has held two discussions with Mr. Pao and one of his associates, the gist of which is summarised in the attached letter to Mr. Pao of 5th May.

So far as I can see there is no real problem as regards accommodation and materials, but manning is another matter.

Mr. Pao's stated reason for wishing to be relieved of the need to carry British qualified officers is the shortage of such officers - and this is true to some extent but it is doubtful whether he is prepared to offer competitive terms of service. Nevertheless, there may be a case for reviewing the nationality requirement of our examinations for certificates and for accepting certain foreign qualifications for service in British ships when British qualified officers are in short supply. It would be helpful, therefore, if you would ask the Department of Trade and Industry whether any relevant changes are contemplated in the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act (on which our legislation is, as you know, modelled). In this connection, while the nationality provisions in our Merchant Shipping (Examinations) Rules are identical with those in the relative U.K. legislation, our Merchant Shipping (Aliens Employment) Ordinance places more stress on British nationality than United Kingdom legislation inasmuch as it extends the British nationality requirement to Hong Kong registered ships wherever they may be.

I

E.O. Laird, Esq, C.M.G., M.B.E., Hong Kong Department,

Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, S.W.1,

England.

#ED IN R.GISTRY No. 51 18971

NICK21/6

Note: This quiny

was faced

so her Hall Branch 44 Ext. C masine Div. D.T.I. who with provide

W

with

A

with

on this unjust.

thear is, howens, no shoot team ssbution.

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