Reference...
M..A.C.
Mr Lane PS/Minister for Aerospace and Shipping
Stuck
cc Mr Archer - MAR (c/r)
Mr Brigstocke
Mr A Stewart
Mr Manson
Mr Madigan
-
C
SP
FCO
Sur Gen
MAR4
48/2/11
HONG KONG REGISTER
As suggested in Mr Archer's minutes of 7 and 8 May 1973, I met representatives of the Chamber of Shipping and British Shipping Federation to discuss the points made in Mr Denholm's letter of 26 April.
It very clearly emerged that the main concern of British shipowners is not with the question whether a separate Hong Kong register should be established but rather to ensure that if it is established on attractive terms that UK shipowners should be enabled to take advantage of it on equal terms with those of competitors elsewhere. Unless this is provided for, UK shipowners feel that they would be at a competitive disadvantage.
As proposed, I asked the Chamber and the Federation whether they would have any objection to our sending a copy of their letter to the Hong Kong Government so that the latter could be more fully acquainted with the views of UK shipowners and take these into account in developing its own proposals, Both the Chamber and the Federation felt, however, that it would not help to do this. They expressed the view quite firmly that it was for the UK Government to take full account of the interest of the British shipping industry in its discussions with the Hong Kong Government. agreed, on the other hand, that there would be no objection to a summary of the main points made in the joint letter being transmitted to the Hong Kong Government as points made in "discussions" between
the UK Government and interested parties. They did not object to the fact that these might be deduced as originat- ing in shipowning circles, but did not want this to be formally stated.
They
It is therefore proposed to send a telegram to the Hong Kong Government on the lines of the attached draft. We are taking the opportunity at the same time to raise a number of points on the paper which has been circulated by the Hong Kong Government to Hong Kong shipowners. We felt that the paper as drafted was just a little confusing and might lead to a less than fully helpful response from the Hong Kong shipowners. If this were to happen it would only further delay consideration of the question of a Hong Kong register.
I should be glad to know if there is any objection to my s ending the telegram as proposed.
13. Standen
LF STANDEN
MAR1
21 May 1973
CODE 18-77