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4.
WE MUST STRESS THAT THE VISIT OF THE TEAM WILL BE VALUE-
LESS AS A STEP TOWARDS OBTAINING FIRM. COMMITMENTS FROM LOCAL
SHIPOWNERS IF IT DOES NOT RESULT IN THE OWNERS KNOWING PRECISELY
WHICH OF THE OFFICERS PRESENTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE ACCEPTED
IF A SEPARATE REGISTER IS ESTABLISHED AND WHAT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT
AND ACCOMMODATION CURRENTLY PROVIDED WILL BE ACCEPTABLE. ONLY
ON THE BASIS OF SUCH SPECIFIC INDICATIONS CAN THE OWNERS REACH
CONCLUSIONS ON THE COST TO THEM OF REGISTERING, WE UNDERSTAND
THAT THIS POINT WAS COVERED WHEN THE GOVERNOR MET THE MINISTER
ON 12 SEPTEMBER.
5:
WE CONFIRM THAT AN OFFICER OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL
ACCOMPANY THE TEAM TO JAPAN AND LOCAL SHIPOWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED
A WILLINGNESS TO CONDUCT THE TEAM ON AN INSPECTION OF SHIPS
PRESENTLY BEING BUILT IN JAPAN.
6.
CAPTAIN ROE WILL CONTACT YOU IN LONDON BETWEEN 2ND AND
9TH OCTOBER. AS HE HAS A VERY FULL PROGRAMME, WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL
IF YOU WOULD ARRANGE A MEETING AT HIS CONVENIENCE,
FCO PLEASE PASS COPY TO HK GOVT. OFFICE., LONDON,
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKI OD
M & T D
FED
PS/MR ROYLE
PS/MR AMERY
HR WRIGHT
COPIES TO
MR L P STANDEN DTI SUNLEY HSE
MR J ARCHER,
DTI SUNLEY HSE
PS TO MR HESELTINE
DTI
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE
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CONFIDENTIAL