CONFIDENTIAL
NOTE OF A MEETING WITH THE HONG KONG DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN SUNLEY HOUSE ON 30 AUGUST AT 2.30 PM
1. The meeting considered further the arrangements for the new Hong Kong register and completed the discussion of the draft heads of agreement between the two Governments. Those present were Mr JN Archer (in the chair), Mr Manson, Mr Madigan and Mr Hunt, all of Marine Division, Mr Andrew Stuart of the Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department, FCO and Mr Fletcher, Director of the Hong Kong Marine Department.
CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS - SECURITY ASPECTS
2. The question was raised whether there was any security problem in allowing mainland Chinese officers to be given Hong Kong certificates so that they could man British ships. It was apparent that any residence qualification whatever would be ineffective in preventing this, and a more rigorous system of vetting for political affiliations would be cumbersome and probably ineffective as well. After discussion it was agreed that insofar as a security risk did arise from this problem, it was one which would have to be borne.
HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS' COMMITMENT TO REGISTER
3.
Mr Fletcher explained that the Hong Kong shipowners found it impossible to commit themselves to register a specified number of ships before they had some idea of the number of their officers who would be given Hong Kong certificates under the new arrangements, It was to be hoped that they could be more definite as a result of preliminary interviews between prospective Hong Kong officers and the advance party of UK surveyors. It was agreed that if at that stage they felt that they were unable to make a worthwhile commit- ment, they should say so openly, Mr Stuart said that any suggestion that the Hong Kong shipowners could avoid making any commitment would be regrettable.
FINANCE FOR THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS
4. It was understood that the costs of the new arrangements would be borne by the Hong Kong Government. Terms of employment for the seconded UK surveyors would have to be agreed and their salaries and associated costs while members of the Hong Kong Marine Department would be reimbursed, although in the case of the advance party, costs could perhaps be shared. Mr Fletcher emphasised that he did not have authority to agree to these arrangements, but hä had no objection to them.
ACCESS TO THE REGISTER → SECURITY ASPECTS
5. The possibility of mainland Chinese shipowners sailing their ships under the Red Ensign when only the Master of such ships need be British was noted as a worrying feature. It was suggested that access to the register might be confined to persons or companies beneficially owned by persons who were Hong Kong Belongers, Before
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CONFIDENTIAL