(145181) Dd, 737490
750M 1/71 Hw.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry
No.
SERITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
.In Confidence
DRAFT
letter
To:-
Sir Hugh Norman-Walker Chief Secretary
Colonial Secretariat Hong Kong
Type 1 +
From
<JA Clewley
F.D. Laird
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Hong Kong
CMG MBE
Submission fich B
Rubanasion fith C
A ABOVE
MERCHANT SHIPPING REGISTRY
1. I am sorry it has taken so long to reply in any
detail to your letter No ECON 14/5061/70 of 12 May.
In
2. We did, however, indicate in FCO telegram No 435
that the Department of Trade and Industry agree with
with all the points made by Milburn, Director of
Marine, in his letter to Mr Pao of 5 May.
particular they support Milburn's view that there is
"no major obstacle or inconvenience " in Mr Pao
registering in Hong Kong either newly constructed
vessels or those transferred from foreign registry.
3. From Mr Pao's reply of 16 June it is clear that
he disagrees with this conclusion and that the main
area of contention is what he describes as the
"rigid nationality and certification requirement"
in respect of Masters, Chief Officers and Chief
Engineers.
4. The serious shortage of qualified seafaring
officers at this level is recognised and the DTI
are at present engaged on the urgent task of reviewing
current arrangements for certification, manning and
training in the hope of laying foundations for a
Discussions will
more stable long-term situation.
shortly be held with both sides of the shipping
industry and, amongst other things, consideration
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