5
suggested compromise would obviously have some
advantage as it would tend to prevent their
becoming involved in disputes with their ownl
crews, and from the Hong Kong Government's
point of view, there would be the advantage
of having staff available to give evidence
after the departure of vessels in case of
legal proceedings.
The arrangement for the employment of
anti-piracy guards by the shipping companies
(see 82764/1/31 and previous papers) is
perhaps not a very good precedent for such an
arrangement, and it has not worked entirely
without friction. But there appears to be no
reason why the salary or salaries of Govemment
searchers should not be paid bythe shipping
companies in the same way as the salaries of
Government Inspectors of private bonded
warehouses are paid by the warehouse owners.
(See (8) on 92642/32).
There is I think no occasion for us to
propound any solution yet.
there is I think
asion for us
propound any solution yet.
I suggest that the only immediate
action required is to
F.0. B/T
? send copy of (2) with enclosure to
M.M.Dept. LFF reference
(1) 74)
for obsons.
Mr. Cowell will probably wish to ack.
(3) (on which I think we need take no action),
? saying that we have now received a despatch
from