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DRAFT TELEGRAM FROM MINISTER OF AEROSPACE AND SHIPPING TO GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING
I have carefully considered your telegrams of 5, 12 and
19 July. The main difference between us now relates tó
the qualifications of the Second-in-Command. He, of
course, plays a vital role in the safe navigation of the
ship and takes over from the Master in the event of
illness etc. We believe that insistence that he should
either be British or a bona fide Hong Kong resident with
the appropriate certificate by examination is a necessary
safeguard and will be important in demonstrating
internationally that no lowering of standards is
contemplated. Shortages of officers are generally
rather less acute at the level of Master and First
Officer. Moreover, Mr Pao employs a good proportion of
British Masters and Mates which may well be an important
factor in his safety record. Many of his ships at least
could clearly comply with the conditions we have proposed.
I can understand him wanting the maximum freedom in
manning but it would not seem unreasonable to expect most
of his British Mates to serve with British Masters and
an accession of, say, 20-25 of his biggest ships would
represent a substantial increase in the tonnage
registered in Hong Kong. Moreover, it would be possible
for bona fide Hong Kong residents to qualify by
examination to be First Mates on Hong Kong registered
ships.
/I have moved