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Mr Wilford
My koyle
PS Mr
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING
1.
Migaster
بلد
M. Stuart
68
May Comer
Mr Royle has asked for reactions to Hong Kong telegrams
Nos 724 and 725.
2.
The first reaction of officials in the DTI was that the
Hong Kong owners' latest proposition was not worth the candle.
The DTI are not prepared to give way on British Masters and
the offer of only 2 million tons deadweight (which is one
million registered tons) is made on the basis that no mere
other than Masters
manning restrictions will be accepted and that even the Masters
L
requirement will be reviewed "pragmatically". DTI officials
fear that this means a token registration of ships to keep
them on the run followed by renewed demands for Taiwanese
Masters in 2 years' time.
3. The Governor in his telegram No 733 asked me to bring his
telegrams Nos 724 and 725 to the notice of No 10. I accordingly
sent copies to Lord Bridges and spoke to him about the present
situation. His reaction was to ask whether there was a possi-
Mr bility of agreement with/Y K Pao alone. I told him I did not
know what proportion of the 2 million tons offered would be
provided by Mr Y K Pao. I accordingly agreed with him to send
a telegram to the Governor in the terms of FCO telegram No 662.
The Governor has sent an interim reply in his telegram No 742.
4. Meanwhile DTI officials are following up the same tack.
The Under-Secretary concerned, Mr Archer, is lunching with
/Mr Lee
16/7.
CONFIDENTIAL