CONFIDENTIAL
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機密
12. As regards paragraph 6(f), the Government intends to seek legal authority to seize any ocean-going ships which have carried Vietnamese refugees to Hong Kong. After seizing such a vessel, the Government would be required to meet the cost of a skeleton crew and insurance until the vessel was sold, or the owner applied successfully for its return. The Director of Marine has recommended that a four month period of expenditure for each ship should be assumed at a cost of $100,000 calculated as follows
•
(a), wages and victualling for a
crew of nine - $22, 300 per month;
(b) insurance of crew ($2.1 million at 0.4 per cent per annum $700 per month; and
(c) ship insurance at a premium
rate of 0.25 per cent of the ship's value - $1,700 per month
Total per month = $24, 700
x 4
$99,000 (say $100, 000)
Both the Huey Fong and the Skyluck will probably be seized at a total expenditure of $200,000. If both ships are sold at their scrap price, the estimated return is $1.5 million.
Financial implications
13. It is accordingly proposed that the commitment under the new Special Expenditure Subhead "Maintenance cf detainees" be increased from $17, 500, 000 by $15,000,000 to $32, 500,000. Provision of the full amount is likely to be required in 1979-80, and this will be offset by freezing an equivalent amount under Head 52 Miscellaneous Services Subhead 100 Additional commitments.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密