HKCi75/1
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB
Telephone: (Direct Dialling) 01-218
(Switchboard) 01-218 9000
FCO
Hong Kong Department
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB
Your reference
Our reference
D/Sec (NS) 81/3/19
Date
18 April 1991
p.a.
1.
I have received the attached letter from Fragrant Harbour Publications Ltd in Hong Kong enquiring into the correct use of ensigns by vessels registered in Hong Kong.
2.
I understand that Section 73 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 which states that it is an offence to hoist on board any national flag other than the Red Ensign has been repealed and that it is now a matter of Hong Kong law that all vessels registered there are required to wear both the Red Ensign and the Hong Kong Colony Ensign.
3.
As the Ministry of Defence branch responsible for the correct use of Flags and Ensigns I am somewhat surprised by this decision and, at this point, am inclined to agree with the attached article, that the practice of wearing two ensigns is quite wrong. I am also unsure of the propriety of what is in essence another countries' law governing the use of a British flag.
4. I find myself unable to reply to Mr Chetwynd-Chatwin without a clearer understanding of the reasoning behind this decision. I am told that the Foreign Office has been involved in negotiations regarding this subject and would be grateful if you could shed some light on the basis for it.
Mr Sqanty or
I have written to HK for
initial views but we shall need:
1 to
research the likes at the time
of the decision to see
was consulted;
who in moD
4
set out for Mr
Cloke the Mason?
was picked.
why the
double en sign
Neka
N CLOKE
Secretariat (Naval Staff)b
for 2414.
10
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