CONFIDENTIAL
to
POWERS OF TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM THIS RULE IN CASES WHERE BRITISH OFFICERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, HE CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE IT ONLY PROVIDES TEMPORARY EXEMPTION, WHILE ALIEN OFFICERS ENGAGED UNDER SUCH EXEMPTIONS COULD BE REPLACED AT ANY COMMONWEALTH PORT BY BRITISH OFFICERS, IF AVAILABLE.
8. THESE AND RELATED QUESTIONS ARE AT PRESENT BEING FURTHER INVESTIGATED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE D.T.1. AS IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS BEING DRAWN UP UNDER THE U.K. MERCHANT
SHIPPING ACT, 1979 WILL PROVIDE SOME RELAXATION PERMITTING
ALIENS TO BE GRANTED BRITISH CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY. (YOU MAY LIKE TO CONSULT D.T.1.)
}
.ต *
9.IT IS BELIEVED THAT ONE OF THE REASONS MR. PAO PARTICULARLY WANTS TO SETTLE THIS ISSUE-AND-REGISTER MORE OF HIS SHIPS IN HONG
KONG IS THAT IT WOULD ENABLE THE VESSELS TO SAIL TO CHINA. THIS
THEY CANNOT DO IF REGISTERED UNDER THE LIBERIAN OR PANAMANAIN
FLAGS.
19.
MR. PAO HAS ALSO FROM TIME TO TIME SAID THAT THE WOULD LIKE
TO SEE MORE OF HIS SHIPS BUILT IN BRITISH AS OPPOSED TO JAPANESE
YARDS. BUT HE HAS FOLLOWED THIS UP WITH A STRING OF REASONS WHY
HE FINDS BRITISH SHIPBUILDERS UNSATISFACTORY FOR HIS PURPOSES.
MOST OF HIS CRITICISMS ARE PRACTICAL AND TO THE POINT AND THE
PRIME MINISTER MIGHT FIND IT INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO HIM ON
THIS SUBJECT,
11. HE RECENTLY DONATED A DARQUE (CATE CELTER) TO THE MARITIME TRUST, WHICH LIES IN PLYMOUTH.
x^2
FCO PASS COPY HONG KONG COVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.
[COPIES SENT TO NO 10 DOWNING ST]
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKIOD
PS/MR ROYLE
FED
N & T D
NEWS D PS
SIR L MONSON
MR VILFORD
COPIES TO:
-3- CONFIDENTIAL
HK GOVT OFFICE PALL MALL MR JB SHOULER MARINE' DIVN DTI