TNAG-0358-FCO40-394-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 12

CONFIDENTIAL

Ext 463

15 December 1972

DF Hubback Esq CB

c/o J McD Wilson Esq

British Civil. Aviation Representative (Far East)

Room 527

Lee Gardens Hysan Avenue Hong Kong

The Minister had his second meeting with Y K Pao on 12 December when Peter Thornton and I vere present. The conclusion was that it would be helpful now to have a further talk with the Hong Kong Government and we should like to take up your suggestion that you would talk to the Governor during your short stay in Hong Kong next week.

I am enclosing:-

(a) Leslie Standen's report of 10 October following his

visit to Hong Kong from 2-5 October;

(b) copies of the notes of the Minister's meetings with

Pao and Lee on 4 and 12 December which, as you now, followed the dinner at Chequers;

(c) copies of the brief supplied to the Minister for the

second of these two meetings, together with a list of the questions which he used as an aide-memoire.

The Hong Kong Government's proposals as made to Standen aro summarised in section (c)3 of the brief. From what we know of Pao's views, however, there seems sone doubt whether a relaxation on these lines would be sufficient to cause him to re-register his ships in Hong Kong. Bearing in mind the difficulties we would be likely to face with both sides of industry here, whom we should have to consult about any changes of this kind, and the likely inferences which would be drawn that standards were being lowered, it would be an unfortunate outcome indeed if changes were made and they did not lead to a significant increase in the size of the long Kong register.

It would, therefore, be helpful to have the views of the Governor on whether casements, which did not include accepting foreign

/lasters