4
-
CONFIDENTIAL
Taiwan but, for the next position, there was $1 million worth of freight to be lifted and CAVN were reluctant to use the ROACHBANK because of the uncertainty about the refugees. CAVN were proposing that the ROACHBANK should stay off hire until 20 June and then be present in Japan for one of their later requirements. This proposal would cost Bank Line an additional £70,000. The vessel had now been off Taiwan for 13 days and a decision from HMG was urgently needed.
14. Lord Inverforth added that CAVN were in the market for a vessel for delivery on the Continent for a trip out to Venezuela. This would suit the company's next new building, the RUDDBANK admirably but he was very concerned that in view of the trouble with the ROACHBANK the charterers would not consider the RUDDBANK.
•
15. Mr Shovelton commented that reports in the press in the previous week had suggested that the Home Office were preparing accommodation for the refugees on the ROACHBANK The industry had therefore hoped. that a solution was imminent. The ROACHBANK was a new and very valuable ship and the sooner its refugees could be removed the better.
16. Mr Head confirmed that there were contingency plans for receiving the refugees from the ROACHBANK but for the moment everything possible was being done to persuade Taiwan to accept them. If the Taiwanese refused, Ministers would have to consider the matter again but the Home Office had a responsibility to be ready to receive the refugees should this become necessary.
17. The Secretary of State added that as soon as the Government received a response from the Taiwanese authorities it would meet again to take very quick decisions. The Government was very conscious of the financial burden which the current situation placed upon the Bank Line, but equally he was sure it was right to exert the utmost pressure upon the Taiwanese authorities to accept the refugees.
NORSE VIKING
18. Mr Shovelton then referred to the problem of the NORSE VIKING which was at present discharging in Whampao in mainland China. It was already clear that the local Chinese authorities would not be prepared to take the 40 refugees on board. The vessel would leave China on 11 June and its next port of call would be in Japan where it was due for repairs and dry-docking. On past experience, the Japanese were likely to be very difficult about accepting the refugees for settlement. He suggested that it would be useful to start discussions with the Japanese authorities well before the vessel arrived.
19. Mr Flower agreed with Mr Shovelton's assessment of the chances that the Chinese would take this party of refugees.
He also confirmed that while the Japanese would be ready to offer financial assistance in dealing with the refugee problem, they had shown themselves strangely reluctant to allow any significant numbers to be settled in Japan. The Government had been making general representations to the Japanese authorities but not, so far as he knew, about the specific problem of the NORSE VIKING. He would pass on Mr Shovelton's
suggestion.
Page 75Page 76
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.