Mr Murray
H*==-243/1
RESTRICTED
!... Mo Pavera Exter
1
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: MV RUDD BANK
30
Khí Quan
M 8/8
४
ал
and PA.
:23
1.
I have just seen Mr McLaren's minute of 7 August reporting his telephone conversation with the Governor. Mr Hayward and I have also had telephone conversations this morning with Captain Mossop of the Bank Line.
2. Captain Mossop reaffirmed to me that the Bank Line and the Master of the RUDD BANK were both prepared to see the refugees remain on board through Shanghai and a further call at Xingang Port, Tianjin. The RUDD BANK would then be free for further work, which might be a time-charter to Japan, or alternatively might be on the Company's sugar business to Australia. The Bank Line had no illusions about the chances of being able to off-load the refugees in China, but they would "expect the problem to be resolved at the first port of call thereafter". Captain Mossop also made it clear that he expected that this would be done by British Government giving an appropriate guarantee at the first subsequent port of call.
3. It is true (paragraph 2 of Mr McLaren's minute) that the Bank Line has not formally requested permission to land the refugees in Hong Kong. However, Captain Mossop has made it clear throughout, and repeated to me this morning, that they considered this to be the best solution and I do not see that we can avoid the issue merely because a formal request has not been made.
4.
Captain Mossop also said that the Bank Line's instructions to their Master had throughout been to continue his voyage to Shanghai, The Master's decision to divert was taken in the light of the two serious medical cases on board (the duodenal ulcer and the fracture) and had been taken when Hong Kong was indeed the closest port of call.
5. Captain Mossop also confirmed that the RUDD BANK would leave Hong Kong when it had completed the taking on of stores. Due to weather conditions this was not likely to be before tomorrow afternoon, Hong Kong time, and the boat is therefore ? unlikely to leave until 9 August.
7 August 1979
Huss?
T C S Stitt
South East Asian Department
cc: Mr Cortazzi
HKGD FED
RESTRICTED
1532