Reference
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और
(33)
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ོ་
My Laird
My
WORLDWIDE (SHIPPING) LIMITED
1
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As I feared, the DTI would prefer not to comment on Mr Pao's latest letter of 16 June and have requested a list of questions. Although we have had verbal replies to some of the questions I have asked, I think you will agree on the wisdom of having a record in writing.
2. At a second attempt I have obtained legal advice: understandably it does not take us much further since what we really need to know is not so much how this particular law could be applied but what the implications of applying it might be. These questions have, therefore, been put to the DTI.
3. In the meantime I have attempted a cockshy reply to Norman-Walker's letter of 12 May. The difficulty I find here is that, despite the wealth of useful informa- tion we have collected, there is comparatively little
can use in writing to Hong Kong without being in danger of insulting their intelligence and the obviously extensive knowledge of their Director of Marine#. Even so I may have included too much.
4.
A further difficulty is that I do not know to what extent Hong Kong share the Ministers' enthusiasm for meeting Mr Pao's requirements. If, as would appear to be the case, they are in full agreement, all well and good: if not, too much persuasion on our part would meet resistance. Finally in this context, I have no means of knowing what HMG's policy on separate marine legislation for Hong Kong is likely to be and, clearly, this cannot be decided until we have an expert assessment of the implications of such a move. The advisability of mention- ing it to Hong Kong at this juncture is therefore in doubt, and, although we obviously need to know Hong Kong reactions, it might be wise to defer a request for them until we have the benefit of further advice from DTI.
5. To reduce the present position to its simplest terms it is that a satisfactory short-term arrangement is within our grasp if only we can ensure (which so far we have failed to do) that a nationality exemption expiring in a port other than of Hong Kong can be certain of renewal if required. Even this is unlikely to satisfy Mr Pao
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