- 3.
manufacturers who have recently been putting up an improved
6
performance in the Japanese market I should be glad to have your
views on these variations in our earlier proposals. We are conscious
that we may be criticised for establishing a flag of convenience
under the Red Ensign to the detriment of UK interests and believe
that only in the ways described can we successfully contest this
criticism.
7. It would clearly be necessary to assess how much shipping would
be brought on to a Hong Kong register established on those lines
before moving ahead with arrangements for recruiting new surveyora
and for secondments from here. For this purpose, you may need to
consult your shipowners informally but we hope this will not result
in press leaks. Eligibility for such a register would need further
thought but we are now inclined to defer to our Chamber of Shipping's
view that companies registered in the UK and in Hong Kong should
have the option of registering ships in either place es at present.
Indeed we might make no change in this respect in present conditions
govorning registration.
8. in closing, may I say how grateful we are for all that was done
for the visiting team.