TNAG-0640-FCO40-788-Visits-of-nuclear-powered-merchant-ships-to-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr Murray

1.

V

In considering the attached submission it may help you to know that Mr Stewart read the papers (not for the first time) before going on leave and left me a note saying that his inclination was to go ahead and authorise the action purposed in the submission. He said his feeling was that:-

"(a) the legal aspects have been covered by Mr Rushford

who tells us the legal responsibility under the Safety of Life at Sea Convention firmly lie on Hong Kong; and

(b)

that I do not believe that the political weight of responsibility does fall on us. To my mind the only argument in favour of our political responsibility is the one that a nuclear powered merchant ship is to be regarded as a war ship."

2. In the event there was not time for Mr Stewart to dispose of the matter before going off on leave and we have taken the opportunity to consult the departments concerned afresh on the course of action proposed in the submission. As you will see, they all concur and I have thought hard before bothering you with the matter. On balance I have concluded that I should let you have the final word.

1 September 1977

D.F. Muillon

D F Milton

Hong Kong & General Department

Lord

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submitted separately t

Roberts

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CONFIDENTIAL