373
Mrs J M Wicks
Marine Division anch 1 Section A
Sunley House /00-93 High Holborn
I NDON
C1V 6L
31 August 1972
R.GISTR
1
I IN IN HONG KONG
with H.K. officials
As you know, I was asked to discuse our Division's Graft brief requested by the Prime Minister on this subject.
2. You have seen telegram PTC No 12 which I sent from Hong Kong after my talks with Alan Fletcher, Director of Marine, and Derek Jones, Deputy Economic Secretary.
CA
3. Fletcher'jor reaction, us reported in paragraph two of my telegrn under reference, was tht the two questions of
rocister and of officer Manning should be tackled se urately I als reported, there is general support in Hong Kong for the establishment of a Hong Kong Register and the Governor has ins ructed that this should be looked into locally. It is seen as politically desirable, and in this comfection is, I think, & reflection of Ho g Kong's growing sense of economic independence. It is thought that a Hong Long Register, which would enable Hong Kong shipowners to sail under llong Kong flag rather than a UK flag, would appel to a locul sense of Hong Kong identity and belonging. It is worth noting that there are 37 companies which are Lembers of the Hong Kong Chipowners Asociation. Economically, whilst t is acknowledged that direct income would not be very gre. t, there are
spin-off benefits. These
a ain might not be great, but would be tangible and cover such things as local manufacture of certain items used in ship-building, which is generally not ossible at present since it is net worth obtaining U standards for them.
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4. Against this, cert in disadvantages were mentioned, principally that were there to be a great influx of ships wishing to join a Hong Kong Register, it could well be impossible even with extra staff to inspect all the ships. Thus, Hong Kong could be accused of lowering standards.
5. I should reiterate at this stage that both the 2 officials I met as well as th: Governor himself are adamunt
artis
BU 11 Sept.
/that there