TNAG-0929-FCO40-1147-Protection-of-Trading-Interests-Bill-extension-to-Dependent--1980 — Page 32

BY BAG

FM FCO

UNCLASSIFIED

ΤΟ

BELMOPAN

AND SAVING TO:

SAVING TELEGRAM

SAVING

GRAND TURK:

TEL NO 4

HONG KONG: MONTSERRAT:

GIBRALTAR:

HKG 121/1.

10 JUN

ns

10

See B.U's or minute w/

See 116

OF 9 JUNE

9 JUNE 1980

GRAND CAYMAN: HAMILTON: STANLEY: ST HELENA: TORTOLA

PROTECTION OF TRADING INTERESTS ACT 1980

1. The Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 received Royal Assent on 20 March. The 1980 Act repeals the Shipping Contracts and Commercial Documents Act 1964. The 1964 Act was passed primarily to protect shipping companies. The 1980 Act goes further in that it provides better protection to companies and individuals in the United Kingdom against attempts by overseas countries to impose their domestic legislation and regulations outside their own territory.

2. The new Act contains a provision (Section 8(8)) providing for its extension to dependent territories in the following terms:

"Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that this Act

shall extend with such exceptions, adaptations and modifi- cations, if any, as may be specified in the Order to any territory outside the United Kingdom, being a territory for the international relations of which Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are responsible."

*~

There was a comparable provision in the 1964 Act, but this earlier Act was extended (apart from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) only to Hong Kong. The 1964 Act remains in force in these territories until repealed by virtue of extension of the 1980 Act by Order-in- Council.

3. The 1980 Act may have considerable significance in some dependent territories and we are sending you separately by bag a copy of:

(i) the 1980 Act;

(ii) Notes on Clauses to the Bill as introduced in the House

of Lords;

(iii) Press Notices issued by the Department of Trade on

31 October 1979 and on receiving Royal Assent.

/4.