CONFIDENTIAL
Scandinavia and, from this point of view, would like a direct
service from Copenhagen to Hong Kong. The Governor has agreed
that we should offer JAS a single weekly service, with
compensation for BOAC. We have done so.
ment before the Prime Minister's visit.
There may be agree-
There are other
problems involving air services, especially the implications
for Hong Kong of the current Chinese attitude towards the
signature of an air services agreement with the UK. This is
covered in the briefs for the visit to China. Other questions
are less likely to be raised by Hong Kong.
25.
Line to Take: It is in Hong Kong's interest that the
right to operate air services to Kai Tak should be developed
to our mutual advantage. Air traffic rights are a matter of
hard bargaining. We have been on balance successful in
defending the interests of Hong Kong as well as the UK.
REGISTER OF SHIPLING (Brief no. 7)
26. The DTI have been discussing for some time the possibility
of a separate Register for Hong Kong which would enable Hong
Kong owners to transfer the registration of an acceptable
number of ships to Hong Kong from Flag of Convenience countries.
A DTI team has been visiting Hong Kong and Japan to investigate
questions of munning and safety standards. Japan is involved
because she builds most of Flag of Convenience fleets and the
UK has not formerly accepted Japanese marine equipment without
exacting tests. To do so now could be harmful to UK
manufacturing interests.
9 CONFIDENTIAL
/27.