TNAG-0582-FCO40-715-Requisitioning-of-Ships-Order-1969-validity-of-order-need-f-1976 — Page 27

TJ David Esq Hong Kong Dept FCO

King Charles St

SW1

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Shipping Policy Division 2

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE Parliament Square House 34-36 Parliament Street London SW1A 2NB

Telephone 01-212 0981

16-E1976

!NICKOGY 5118

Ry

a

Enter and buin

fortnight

D301

T

19 and again the

(01-233 8860 as from 20 September)

Your reference Folder 129

Our reference

Date

15 September 1976

Dear David.

а

REQUISITIONING OF SHIPS ORDER 1969

02

F

fa

(13)

I am replying to your letter of 14 September 1976.

As regards (a) the position is that the Board of Trade still exists and the present wording of the Order is perfectly valid. I have, however, been advised by our Solicitor that, if the Order is to be amended, it would be appropriate to leave out the words "the Board of Trade or".

I agree with your proposition in (b). The Governor is the obvious candidate. There is, however, one point which would like to make. Although the substitution of the Governor as a delegate in place of overseas officers of the Board of Trade would not theoretically change the framework for decision making, we would like to be certain that, in the event of the powers being exercised, we are in a position to inform the owners of the ships simultaneously.

I am copying this letter to the recipients of yours.

Yours sincerely

J K T Frost

cc O I Green Esq, DoT

B M Norbury, Esq, MoD A E Palmer Esq, FCO M W Atkinson Esq, FCO

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C2396