64
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
11225 1
-
1(65
see (66)
Hier
ого/2
GRS 283
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 19010OZ
FM FCO 181650Z JUNE 82
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 460 OF 18 JUNE
PERSONAL FOR MCLAREN FROM CLIFT
w
Plos 2416
INCLUDING SUMMARY
CBF IS BEING
YOUR TELNO 642: HONG KONG SEAMEN ON RFA SHIPS
1. MOD ARE SENDING CBF BRIEFING OVER WEEKEND,
OF CAPTAIN'S REPORT ON DIFFICULTIES WITH CREW.
ASKED TO GIVE YOU AND GOVERNOR A FULL ACCOUNT.
2. CONTRACTS FOR UK AND HONG KONG SEAMEN ARE DIFFERENT AND THE
LATTER PAID LESS. HOWEVER THE HONG KONG CREWS WILL GET BONUS FOR
VOYAGE TO FALKLANDS. THEY MAINTAIN THEY WERE TOLD THEY WOULD
NOT (NOT) HAVE TO SAIL TO FRONT LINE. NO RECORD OF THIS DIS-
CUSSION WAS KEPT ALTHOUGH THE MOD BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING WAS SAID
(CONTRACTS FOR HONG KONG SEAMEN REQUIRE THEM TO GO TO WAR ZONE IF
NECESSARY, ALTHOUGH THOSE FOR BRITISH SEAMEN DO ALLOW THEM TO
OPT OUT IF THIS IS OPERATIONALLY PRACTICABLE).
3. WE AND MOD APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULT PRESS ANGLE AND PROBLEMS
FOR YOU. MOD WILL INITIALLY TAKE LINE THAT ALL HONG KONG SEAMEN
ARE ENGAGED UNDER AGREEMENTS FREELY ENTERED INTO.
SEPARATE TREATMENT FOR THEM IS OF LONG-STANDONG.
INFORMATION ONLY AT THIS STAGE,
IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS ONE PRACTICE WHICH WILL
HAVE TO BE REVIEWED.
THE PRACTICE OF
FOR YOUR
4. THERE REMAINS THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF WHAT ORAL UNDERTAKINGS
WERE MADE. MOD WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS URGENTLY AND WE WILL BE
INVOLVED IN AGREEING A LINE.
5. POLICY OF EMPLOYING HONG KONG SEAMEN IS UNDER REVIEW BUT NO
EARLY CHANGE IS CONTEMPLATED. MOD FULLY UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL
CONSIDERATIONS. HOWEVER IMMEDIATE PROBLEM IS REPLACEMENTS FOR
THOSE DUE FOR RELIEF, SINCE SHIPS ARE NEEDED IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC
FOR FORESEEABLE FUTURE. IF THEY CANNOT BE RECRUITED IN HONG KONG
See 167
119
1
CONFIDENTIAL
/AT