of specific points which I undertook to consider.
We have just heard from Hong Kong that they are
conducting a further round of discussions with their
shipowners in the light of the talks I had in
Hong Kong and have asked to delay a formal reply
to our consultative document until early June. I
have asked them to reply sooner than this if at all
possible and I am doing all I can to resolve the
issue as quickly as possible. However, it is clearly
impossible to make a decision before we have the
Hong Kong Government's further views and it may well
be necessary to go back to our shipowners and unions
then since we must make every effort to carry them
with us as far as we can.
I assure you that no unnecessary time will be lost
and I propose to keep you in regular touch with
developments.