TNAG-0323-FCO40-359-Legislation-for-merchant-shipping-registered-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 83

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QUESTIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY RELATING TO WORLDWIDE (SHIPPING) GROUP.

1.

Bearing in mind that Hong Kong is a Port of British Register responsible to the British Registrar, Cardiff, is there any reason why exemption in respect of nationality for Masters, Chief Officers or Chief Engineers under Section 2 of the Merchant Shipping (Aliens Employment) Ordinance as granted by powers delegated to Director of Marine, Hong Kong, could not be for a year or even longer?

2.

If an officer with such an unexpired exemption is in a Port other than Hong Kong as a crew member of a Hong Kong Registered Ship, is that exemption inviolable?

༣.

When a Hong Kong nationality exemption expires in a c/w port other than Hong Kong (a) could not British Officers based locally demand acceptance for employment under local law in preference to temporary non-British Officers reapplying for exemption from Hong Kong; or (b) in practice, could the Commonwealth Government concerned agree to honour a previous arrangement in respect of expired exemptions by referring them to Hong Kong for renewal?

4.

In ensuring that British specifications are met on ships constructed outside British jurisdiction (eg Japan) would there be any objection to using "classification surveyors" rather than Hong Kong Government surveyors?

5.

It has been suggested that by applying the powers provided under Section 735 (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 it might be possible for Hong Kong to vary nationality requirements on Hong Kong registered ships. If this were done could you please say:

6.

(a) whether this is compatible with Hong Kong remaining

part of the British Register; and

(b) whether it could be done in such a manner as to

retain "Commonwealth reciprocity

1) in respect of

certification?

By applying Section 735(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 and/or Section 2 of the 1925 Act:

(a)

would it be possible for Hong Kong as a dependency to intorduce an independent Marine Register;

(b) if so, would there be serious disadvantage to Hong

(c)

Kong; and

by so doing, would it then be possible to meet Mr. Pao's requirements?

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