TNAG-0582-FCO40-715-Requisitioning-of-Ships-Order-1969-validity-of-order-need-f-1976 — Page 37

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DEFENCE DEPT W64

HKCK 064/548/1

Mr Stewart Jales 3/9

Mr Wilberforce

REQUISITIONING OF SHIPS ORDINANCE 1969

1. Mr Bristow, Deputy Secretary for Securities, has written

FLAG to Mr Wilberforce about the Requisitioning of Ships Order 1969.

(E/33)

FLAG 2. The Order, which is unpublished, refers to contingency powers

in the event of an invasion of Hong Kong. I have confirmed with

the Legal Advisers that it has not been revoked.

3.

The Order was discussed briefly at a meeting with

Mr Fletcher, Director of Marine in Hong Kong, at the Board of Trade FLAG on 23 August (paragraph 9 of Mr Wickson's note of 24 August), when it was suggested that the FCO should have another look at it in the light of the present circumstances. I have agreed with

Mr Wickson of Defence Department the pints that we should now consider; I think the task falls initially to HKD as the 1969

papers are ours.

FLAGD

4. In the meantime I suggest that Mr Wilberforce sends an interim reply to Mr Bristow.

agreed with Mr Wickson.

I attach a draft, which has been

1 September 1976

Праткий

R B Janvrin

Hong Kong Department

K 245 233 4777

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