DRAFT MINUTE TO THE PRIME MINISTER
HONG KONG REGISTRY
As you know, we have now heard from the Hong Kong
Government in response to the latest proposals put
to them last month, outlined in my minute to you of
14 June.
They
The main difference between us concerns the nationality
and qualifications of Masters and First Officers.
would accept for a limited period that Masters should
be British subjects a point which the Ministry of
Defence is anxious to preserve and which I believe is
vital
<
but they want to deal with First Officers ad hoc
in the same way as for other officers.
!
I do not think we should agree to this. The First
Officer, as second-in-command to the Master, plays a
vital role in the safe navigation of the ship and, of
course, takes over command in the event of illness etc.
The insistence that he should either be British or be
a bona fide Hong Kong resident with the appropriate
British certificate by examination is a necessary
safeguard and will be important in demonstrating that
no lowering of standards is contemplated. Moreover,
we have heard through informal contact with one of
Mr Pao's senior people that three-quarters of his
present fleet would satisfy the new requirements.
Apparently he is pressing for more relaxations partly
/to give
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.