TNAG-0419-FCO40-465-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 179

CYPHER/CAT A

FM DTI 2414452

CONFIDENTIAL

20/2 нки за

NÓ Distres

7

sest

TO ROUTINE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO ALLOT O OF 24 JANUARY

PROPOSED HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTRY

has

содру

Royle.

25 I

WE WERE GLAD TO HAVE THE PRELIMINARY VIEWS SET OUT 11. YOUR TELEURAM

NO 65 OF 17 JANUARY WHICH RAISE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, VIZ:

A HOW WOULD 'CLOSE LINKS WITH HONG KOI BE DEFINED?

↓

B HOW WOULD THE ACCEPTABILITY OF FOREIGN CERTIFICATES BE JUDGED

SY COMPARING THE STANDARDS REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIE. WIT. OUR

OWN C. CASE BY CASE ACCORDING TO THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF INITIAL OFFICERS, AND WHAT IS EANT JY ON THE BASIS OF EXISTING BRITISH RE VIREMENTS'? DO YOU HAVE IT IN MIND THAT THE CE: TIFICATES

OF CERTAIN COUNTRIES LOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED AND WOULD IT DE

PUSSIBLE, IN THE LONGER TERM, TO ITHSTAND PRESSURE TO CCEPT THEM? IF(A) AND (3) JERE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT, PRESUMABLY HONG KON. WOULD, LIKE SINGAPORE, WITHDRAW FROM THE COMMONWEALTH SHIPPIN AGREE ENT

WHEREBY YOUR CERTIFICATES WERE ACCEPTABLE ON SHIPS OF OTTER

COMMON.EALTH COUNTRIES INCLUDING OUR OWN.

C. WHAT PRIOR ARRANGE.IENTS FOR DEALING WITH FOREIGN MASTERS RE CONTE PLATED AND COULD THEY BE MADE EFFECTIVE?

D. WOULD YOU WIDEN THE CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION TO REQUIRE THE

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS TO BE EITHER IN HOUG KO. OR TE

CO MONWEALTH?

E. WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO MAINTAIN UK STANDARDS WHICH ARE IN SOME

CASES HIGHER THAN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS? FLAG OF JO::VENTENCE COUNTRIES MAY SUBSCRIBE TO THE LATTER SO THEIR ADOPTION D. 10.6 KONG WOULD NOT REFUTE THE SUGGESTION THAT A NEW FLAG OF CONVENIENCE WAS JEING ESTABLISHED. AND HOW WOULD YOU SECURE MAINTENANCE OF STANDARDS FOR SHIPS NOT CALLING AT HONG KONG?

F. MILE THIS IS PRI ARILY FOR YOU, HAS ACCOUNT DEEL TAKE I ASSELDING RECEIPTS FRO. PROFITS TAX OF LARGE DEPRECIATION ALL- SIMILAR ALLOWANCES OF SHIPPING COMPANIES?

YOUR THIRD PARAGRAPH ALSO RAISED SOME INTERESTING POINTS RE A DIG - THE ATTITUDE OF DRITISH SHIPOWNERS AND THE ITF AND SHO. TAGL O OFFICERS ON WHICH WE SHOULD WELCOME CLARIFICATION. WE BELIEVE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD NOW DISCUSS THESE POINTS IN LONDON SAY WITHIN THE NEXT FORTNIGHT WITH A VIEW TO REACHING AGREE ENT. WE HOPE THAT YOUR DIRECTOR OF MARINE CAN BE PRESENT AND IN VIEW OF THE SUBSTANTIAL POLITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTIONS IT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL TO US IF YOU COULD CONSIDER SENDING LLOYD ON OTHER APPROPRIATE SENIOR OFFICER.

NONG