There are additional hazards to the safety of the ship.
For example, potential outbreak of fire on board through indiscrimi- nate smoking, and the vessel is inadequately equipped to deal with such a situation arising with these numbers on board. This was a major worry for us in the case of "Sibonga".
During the week since I last wrote to you we have been inundated with complaints and threatened action by our Venezuelan charterers and, as I told the Secretary of State for Trade yesterday, it is really not only my own Company which is losing credibility but the British shipping industry as a whole, because we are being made to look ineffective and unreliable as commercial traders.
It would appear to us from our own direct contacts with Taiwan that it is highly unlikely the Taiwanese Government will accept the 293 refugees. I was horrified to hear Mr. Nott say that negotiations might extend for some time. Time for us is so important.
The case of the "Roachbank" is becoming an increasingly embarrassing situation for HM Government as well as for ourselves. We are finding the attentions of the Press more and more demanding but so far we have managed, and indeed endeavoured, to act as discreetly as possible in order not to aggravate the position.
Therefore may I again implore the Government for an early decision before further deterioration of the very delicate situation in which your Administration and our "Roachbank" unfor- tunately find themselves.
I am sending a copy of this letter, too, to the Home Secretary, the Foreign & Commonwealth Secretary and the Secretary of State for Trade.
Yours sincerely
Inverfith
The Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher, MP,
The Prime Minister,
10 Downing Street,
London, S. W.1.
7
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.