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5.5.
In their response to the CD, the HKSOA have
proposed that a statutory corporation might be formed to establish and run the register; such a corporation
"could be a more efficient and effective means of
running the Register". Since the shipowners' response was widely circulated during the consultation period, the concept of a statutory corporation received a number
of comments. In general the tone was that the proposal should be carefully considered, though the ITF thought that the Government should retain direct control.
5.6.
We sought clarification from the Department of Transport of their own position and were told that with regard to the operation of the register
"It is certainly established UK government
policy that the privatising or contracting out
of any activity which in principle seems
suitable for this treatment should be
carefully considered when an opportunity
arises. Clearly sometime before a new central
register is set up is as good a time as any at
which to make such an evaluation and it would
have been shortsighted not to have provided