Our Ref: TSX 2/54
Your Ref: HKK 064/548/1
HALOGY/SUM
ниже
C.S. 143
傀
No. 1 of 2 copies
TOP SECRE
and PERSONAL
Government Secretariat
21
Lower Albert Road Hong Kong
29th November 1976
Ro R
%%%
nt.
(19) 9(20)
REQUISITIONING OF SHIPS ORDER 1969
Thank you for your two letters of 25th October updating us on the present state of play.
As I mentioned to you during your visit, we have requisitioning powers over both ships and aircraft in the local emergency legislation mentioned in Denis Blain's letter to you, (94) in CR 6/3231/59 V of 2nd November 1976, (Regulation 4(1) of the Emergency (Requisition) Regulations (Chapter 241)). This legislation is now being reviewed, as Denis said, but I think the requisitioning powers will have to be retained in some form or other. In normal conditions, chartering would, as you say, be far preferable. But there could arise extreme conditions in which the charter market collapsed and for this reason it seems likely that emergency legislation will remain necessary. As you said in our short discussion, it might in such extreme conditions be necessary to use the 1969 Order, in order to requisition a ship outside Hong Kong waters. We would therefore favour the Order remaining in force for this purpose.
If the Order is to be retained, we agree that delegation to the Governor would be appropriate.
T.J. David, Esq.,
Hong Kong Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office LONDON SW1A 2AH
Renima (R.G.B. Bridge)
for Secretary for Security
TOP SECRET
Schult DOT (front) &
(Rilerd