15 21/2
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
LA Clinton sq CIG OM Acting Colonial Secretary
LONDON SW1
15 June 1972
LAST
HENT
REF.
See 29
2
16.4
6
HO KONG SHIPPING RUGISTER
1.
You will remember that Hugh Norman-Walker wrote to me on 6 January (your reference CR14/5061/70) about a talk he had had with Y K Pao. In particular he mentioned the possibility of creating a Hong Kong Register.
2.
You will also know from the telegrams (the latest your telegram No 399) that Y K Pao was to call on the Prime Minister on 25 May. In the event that call was put off to 7 June. lic record of the meeting was made but we have been told that the possibility that Er ao might register some of his fleet under a Hong Kong flag came up in the course of the discussion. Mr Pao agreed that the question of specifications of materials and equipment required for British ships was less of a problem than officer manning. lile felt that some solution might be sought by which the standards of officers under a Hong Kong registration scheme could meet the more stringent level required for British registration, without insistence on the need for senior officers to be of British nationality.
3. The Frime Minister told kr Pao that he would have this idea looked into.
4. This is of course primarily a matter for the DTI in the first instance. When we have their views we shall send them to you for any comments you may have. A submission will then be made to No 10.
E O Laird
CONFIDENTIAL
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