CONFIDENTIAL
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE ANDXINDUSTRY
Shipping Policy Division
34/36 Parliament Street London SW1A 2ND
Telex: 24730 Answer back Seamove G Telephone: Direct Line 01.233 7274
Switchboard 01233 3000
H E Dell Esq
Defence Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office WHITEHALL SW1
>
Your reference
A
19/6
Our reference SP34/1/03
Date
18 June 1980
37/1
DP 237!
1 8 JUN 1980
DESK OFFICER IN EX
PA
tion T San
"NON-DOMICILES", CREWS ON UK MERCHANT SHIPS
We have been informed by the General Council of British Shipping that 11,000 seamen or 25% of the crews serving on UK flag merchant ships are "non-domiciled" i.e they are not British nationals. The majority of them are domiciled in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the West Indies and Hong Kong.
2. Concern has been expressed that there is a danger during a period of crisis. that the "non-doms" would refuse to sail, as apparantly happened during the Suez crisis, especially on the rapid reinforcement ships from US ports to Europe. This concern also extends to "non-doms" serving on UK flag merchant ships during a conventional war.
3. The Department of Employment. would during a period of crisis have powers to direct key personnel of British nationality, who include seafagers, to remain in their jobs. They would also during a conventional war have powers of direction of labour which would cover seamen of British nationality. As it is imperative that UK flag merchant ships continue to operate in a period of crisis and conventional war with full crews, it is important to know the position of the "non-doms" not covered by Employments' powers so that arrangements can be made to replace them if necessary by seamen of British nationality.
4.
At a recent meeting of a Working Group on ships' crews it was suggested that enquiries should be made via your Department to learn whether it would be the policy of Governments of "non-doms" to allow them to serve in UK flag merchant ships during (i) a period of crisis and (ii) a conventional war. As mentioned in paragraph 1, the Governments we have in mind are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the West Indies (Jamaica and Trinidad). Hong Kong is in a different category as it is a British Dependent Territory and it is assumed that, seafarers who are Hong Kong, citizens would be subject to the same regulations as British nationals.
5.
I should, therefore, be grateful if you would ask your appropriate country desks, or the diplomatic posts if necessary, for their comments. As the information is required for the next meeting of the Working Group by the end of July, I should be pleased if the requested comments could be to hand by then.
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