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CONFIDENTIAL
3.
4.
Certificates of Competency, who are actively employed by Hong Kong shipowners and have good records of service (Note: Such a
concession if agreed would not be a continuing one).
(c) A remote possibility exists whereby it might
be acceptable for Hong Kong Certificates of Competency to be issued to hokers of foreign certificates issued by their own national government providing such holders were able to pass an "endorsement" examination to the satisfaction of the Director of Marine. It should be noted however that the setting of the "standard" for such an examination,
may present problems.
Future considerations and course of action
Consistent with the above it is necessary for Hong Kong shipowners to indicate the degree of support which they would be prepared to give to a separate Hong Kong Register if established, assuming all or some of the concessions listed above being agreed to. If possible, the degree of support should be related to a specified amount of tonnage, and the attached summary drawn up by Marine Department, indicating the number of ships, and the related tonnage, with respect to full support, is relevant. It is also possible that shipowners will on their own account, and in the light of the recent discussions, be able to draw up counter proposals with respect to the current "offers" made by U.K. Government.
5.
In any case, I would expect the subject matter being fully discussed at least in the Shipping Sub-Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and the Committee of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association. Following such discussions, and anticipating both bodies being able to submit a paper stating their viewpoints, then it would be advantageous for a further meeting to be held between Director of Marine and representatives of Shipowners, to discuss and decide the next step which should be taken, having particular regard to the views expressed. Essentially, it will be necessary to address the U.K. Authorities further in writing, and
H.E. the Governor has expressed a wish to see the associated document, when this is produced.
CONFIDENTIAL