Sir Duncan Watson
CONFIDENTIAL
In Strand
HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING
Minute
att 78
#23 16/x
There are valid pouts, particularly
(c). We must balance the issue!
when No io's
has been
коршое Received if the DTT popsicls.
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14/1
1 With reference to Mr Stuart' minute of 9 November, I
should like to draw attention to the following aspects of
the problem which seem to have become obscured.
(a) Safety Equipment:
The DTI have so far not gone beyond suggesting
that discussions be entered into with the Hong Kong
Government "with a view to agreeing that in fields
where Hong Kong is equipped to do so it should be
empowered to accept equipment as satisfying
regulations for UK ships".
(b) UK Standards for the Construction of Ships:
In the event of a separate Register being
established in Hong Kong, there might well be
pressure from shipping interests there to apply
lower standards than at present, whilst still
complying with international obligations. "Hong
Kong's standards could be reduced to a level
similar to those of some flag of convenience
countries which are significantly lower in practice,
if not on paper, than UK standards with a resultant
increase in casualties". (Extract from draft DTI
letter enclosed with Mr Archer's letter of 9 August
addressed to Mr Wilford.)
(c) Trade Union Reactions:
There has been no recent reference in any of the
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