TNAG-0421-FCO40-467-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 15

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It is ; the possibility of abandoning the nationality requirements for master, chief officer and chief engineer, which would present us with the most difficult problem, The Premier was well acquainted

with the Hong Kong Register question, and recognised that he was setting us something of a problem, He emphasised the shortage of British ships' officers and said that the Colony's aim to expand its register would be stillborn fron the outset unless the nationality requirements could be changed. He considered that the case put Forward by different colonies should be separately examined and d.ciâed upon,

He was most anxious to draw a distinction between the situation or Hong Kong and that of Bermuda, which had had an elected legislature for over 300 years and whose Government could therefore speak for all the people. He also emphasised the historical involve- ment of Bermuda in Britain's maritime history.

I replied in general terms to the points made. I explained the UK Government's responsibility internationally for ships flying the Red Ensign, and Sir Edward Fully understood this. He emphasised that in his view, however, UK standards would and must be maintained. If the nationality requirements for ships' officers were to be relaxed he accepted that only foreign officers with certificates of competenc, comparable to those issued by the United Kingdon would be acceptable,

After a further general discussion it was agreed that the memorandum and the approach should be treated at this stage as one at official level only and not as a formal Government-to-Government matter. I underbook to give a written official reaction.

This approach now somewhat complicates the situation with regard to a separate Registor of Shipping for Hong Kong. It is, however, possible to make distinctions between the two cases which would enable us to treat Hong Kong separately at this stage. Bermuda's request is based, quite openly, on revenue-earning considerations, and no attemp Bo being made to argue that the chips which might register there have any genuine connection with the Colony, On the other hand, Bermuda has had a long maritime tradition as a British Colony and would benefit economically rather more relatively than would Hong Kong from an expanded Register, Hong Kong's case, on the other hand, is nore valid in that the ships concerned do properly "belong" to Hong Kong and a separate Register under favourable conditions would merely enable them to register in the proper place. On the other hand, the economic benefits to Hong Kong of a separate Register would be very much less relatively than would Bermuda's.

I now propose to set in hand the actions which were agreed with Sir Edward, and to draft an official reaction to the memorandum.

4. Stander

L 3 STANDEN

MAR1

20 December 1973

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