TNAG-0419-FCO40-465-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 50

Mr Wilfor

PS to Mr Royle Mr/Royle

CONFIDENTIAL

One of the problems in

bringing in

other this owners,

many of whom

have not

Briksh

fubjects. (Para 3 of Fletcher's letter).

This

üi

ише

Син нат

thanked by 4.K Pao.

amylang about this

"A.R.

36 Flag A

Flag B 42/E

Flag

(39)

HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING

1. Hong Kong have still not provided comments on the "Consultative Document". The Director of Marine has written a very ill-judged letter to the DTI. The latter's first reaction was to ask me to hurry Hong Kong up, in view of Prime Ministerial pressure. But they have subsequently had second thoughts (Mr Archer's minute of 26 April), since the delay in Hong Kong gives the DTI a breathing space.

2. Delay cannot be in Hong Kong's or in HMG's overall interest, and I do not believe that Mr Fletcher's letter would have been approved by the Governor, who must be aware of the danger of the whole thing going off the boil, particularly if Hong Kong can be blamed for this. Before Mr Fletcher's letter arrived I had already sent a personal telegram referring to 1 Timothy 5, 14, "Give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully". I think subsequent events bear out the need for this.

30 April 1973

DCSD

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

Kunbrif

CONFIDENTIAL

/5

M

MW

Wilford

Pisplen

People M. Start

for advice please.

h? Guest