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Cotil
SHIPPING CONTROL COMMITTEE,
MONTAGU Hover,
WAITERALIN
2nd February, 1917.
-29-3
Cockspur Street,
6295
London. S.7.
(
REC sir,
3 FEE 17.
111
I am directed by the Shipping Control Committee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 3376/17 of the 29th January, with
regard to the construction and repair of ships at Hong Kong and
Singapore.
2. The situation has changed to some extent since the date of
the Board of Trade letter of the 17th Janary. So far as ship-
building for the account of His Majesty's Government is concerned,
the Committee are in communication with Messrs. John Swire & Sons,
Ltd., with regard to the capacity of the building yards at Hong
Kong for the construction of ocean-going vessels, and that firm is
being asked to supply detailed information of the labour, materials
and machinery available. The Colonial Office will be informed
later of the progress of the negotiations. The Committee do not
consider that it is at present necessary to pursue further the
inquiries as to the construction of ships for His Majesty's
Government at Singapore.
3. So far as construction for neutrals is concerned, the Committee
conour generally in the views expressed to the Governor of Hong Kong
in the telegram from the Colonial Office of the 23rd December, with
regard to the ships already being built for neutral account, and they
also consider that no further vessels should be laid down at Hong
Kang for neutral account. While they are aware that the policy of
limiting the whole activities of the shipyards which His Majesty's
Government control to work done for the benefit of the Allies has been
generally beneficial in its results, they are of the opinion that in
view of the remote and isolated position of Hong Kong, it is not
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office,
Downing Street,
S, W.