TNAG-0323-FCO40-359-Legislation-for-merchant-shipping-registered-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 60

with

SUMMARY OF ANSWERS BY DTI TO HONG KONG DEPARTMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

1. There is nothing to prevent the Director of Marine, Hong

Kong granting nationality exemptions of up to a year but

whether he would consider this a judicious use of his powers is

another matter. He would be expected to allow exemptions on

British lines

(a)

-

ie only when

40

(b)

(၁)

"representative organisations" confirmed no

certificated British officer was able and willing to

take the post;

the ship was habitually employed between ports

outside Hong Kong;

the officer exempted held a certificate of

competency from a reputable marine authority" or,

exceptionally, had specialised experience;

and (a) the period did not exceed one year.

2.

An exemption issued by Hong Kong to a Master, Chief Officer

or Chief Engineer would be inviolable in foreign ports but would

be "at the discretion of marine authorities" in United Kingdom or

other Commonwealth ports.

In practice, the latter would

probably not interfere but, to secure "firm and automatic

acceptance" of Hong Kong exemptions throughout the Commonwealth

would require detailed consultations, would involve considerable

work to administer even if it found general favour and would

create a clear precedent for reciprocal facilities.

3. Until British and Commonwealth policy on nationality

requirements is changed, officers holding British certificates of

competency are entitled to employment in preference to aliens.

- 1

/As

Page 60Page 61