TNAG-0357-FCO40-393-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 64

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Sh. 36

4720036

10,000-5/70-B70633

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IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE:

S. R

A & C/I T W F

TEL. No.

H-450181 Ext.205.

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G. Foggon, Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E., Overseas Labour Adviser,

Foreign & Commonwealth Office,

RECEIVED IN

Asia. Rep will accengang

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ассалдану

SEAMEN'S RECRUITING OFFICE,

"CENTRAL RECLAMATION

Room 119, Downing Street East, RTG ~~.51

London, S.W. 1,

ENGLAND.

Foggo

Dear Mr. Foggon,

- 5 JUL 1972

+11(21/2

CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

7th June, 1972.

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Ian Price, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Hong Kong, and whom you met recently in Geneva, wrote to Mr. Paul Tsui, our Commissioner of Labour, following an informal discussion the former had with you and also with a Mr. H. Lewis, Assistant General Secretary of the I.T.F., at Geneva arising from certain measures being adopted by the I.T.F. against so-called crews and flags of convenience.

From Price's letter, it is noted that Lewis intends visiting Hong Kong at the end of July. It appears Lewis has indicated he would be happy to meet with Price, a representative of the Director of Marine (who would be myself in fact), and members of the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association on the morning of Saturday, 29th.

It appears Lewis is interested in determing whether or not Hong Kong Shipowners are now paying at least the basic I.L.O. minimum of £42 (HK$613) to able seamen, and he would like to see documentary evidence of this. In his letter, Price indicated that perhaps the Director of Marine could advise Lewis direct about this and send, also, any information which can be made available about wage rates for Hong Kong seamen.

On behalf of the Director of Marine, I may say that we should be very pleased to see Mr. Lewis in Hong Kong and that he can be assured of the same welcome and co-operation which representatives of the I.T.F., including Mr. Blyth and Mr. Tennant, received here on previous occasions.

So far as sending Lewis documentary evidence is concerned, this presents a bit of a problem inasmuch as my office receives from all shipping companies recruiting Hong Kong seafarers, copies of their conditions of service on a confidential basis; and though I can make up tables from the information so provided, I feel that merely sending these without having the opportunity to discuss them could lead to possible misunderstandings and misinterpretations of figures. On the other hand, I am quite confident in saying that during Mr. Lewis' visit to Hong Kong, he will have ample opportunity to determine the wage rates and other conditions of service offered to Hong Kong seafarers.

In Price's letter, he did indicate that none of the information he had provided should be given to the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association at this stage, as this would be a breach of confidence. Obviously, if Mr. Lewis is to meet shipowners in Hong Kong, they must be advised so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

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