ST DVD IN
CONFIDENTIAL
E
***.51
15 AUG 1972
1KK21/2
Our Ref MS 83/13/06
K Wilford Esq CMG
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Downing Street
London SW1
Dear Wilford,
LAST
ZA"
REF.
Sif J. Watson
(Dr Wilford has
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
SUNLEY HOUSE
90/93 HIGH HOLBORN
LONDON WC1V 6LP
Telephone: 01-405 6911
not seem
47
Ext 463
9 August 1972
Пи
it's there
time to get all this out while in food fello
H.R.?)
A
10
47/2/1
F
V44
Following the Prime Minister's meeting with Y K Pao on 7 June, Tom Bridges asked for a report on the possibility of a new scheme for the registration of shipping in Hong Kong. Since this falls mainly within the DTI field of responsibilities, it has been agreed that we should take it on.
I now enclose a copy of a draft report prepared here. It is in effect a restatement of the present position, on the lines of the brief prepared for the Prime Minister's meeting: it does not provide a short-term solution to the problems about which Pao has complained.
Before submitting this to the Prime Minister we would find it extremely helpful to have a local assessment of the situation. In particular, Pao has emphasised in discussion the difficulty encountered in recruiting certificated second mates and second engineers in Hong Kong. We should like to know whether, locally, this is considered to be a real problem, or whether some other factor (such as that Pao offers inferior wages and conditions of employment) is involved.
We would therefore welcome Hong Kong's comments on the draft report, together with any additional information that they can provide. To that end, I am also enclosing a list of questions which Goodfellow, whom I understand is at present in Hong Kong, might like to discuss with the Hong Kong authorities. We would also be glad to know whether you think it would be helpful if we were to send out one or two officials from DTI Marine Division to Hong Kong to look into the situation.
No 10 are anxious to have a further report before the Prime Minister visits Japan next month so I would hope this could be dealt with quickly from now on.
You
John Arches
JN ARCHER
PS:
You will realise that the list of questions has been compiled in order to get as much information as possible and should not be regarded
as indicating the likely outcome
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.