obtained if the Japanese had much to gain from British approval of Japancso equipment.
9. It was suggested that an alternative to a separate register might be offered under which aliens would be allowed to sit examinations for I certificates for first officer and chief engineer. This relaxation would be for the whole UK (plus Hong Kong) register and could also include reciprocal agreement on the acceptance of equipment with the Japanese. The UK unions might accept this as preferable to a separate register. However, MOD might have objections to allowing alions to be first officers and there were, in addition, the political objections to a solution which appeared to restrain Hong Kong from acting independently.
CONCLUSIONS
10. It was agreed that the progress report to the Minister should outline the
problems revealed in the team's reports and suggest a discussion of future tactics on the separate register question. The team should be informed accordingly and told that when they saw the Governor before leaving Hong Kong, they should say that they had not yet written their report but give the Governor a clear idea of the problems they had encountered. They should also be instructed to ask the Hong Kong Government to ask World Wide Shipping to produce more deck officers for interview. The Governor should be informed directly that the team would write their report after their return to England but that a copy would be sent to him as soon as it was available, The Governor should be consulted before any final decision was taken.
MAR 1A
Circulation:- Those present, and
Mr Standen MAR 1
Miss Lackey CRE 2/3
Mr Gunner SBP 1