TNAG-2487-FCO40-3618-Future-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1992 — Page 56

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EXTENDED SOLAS, THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES REGISTERS ARE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. THEY ALSO CONSTITUTE AN INCREASINGLY HIGH PROPORTION OF BRITISH TONNAGE. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WE CONSIDER THAT IT MAY NO LONGER BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE UK TO CONTINUE TO BEAR THE SHARE OF THE COSTS INCURRED BY VESSELS ON THESE REGISTERS. WE ARE THEREFORE CONSIDERING ASKING DEPENDENT TERRITORIES COVERED BY THE AGREEMENT TO PAY THE PROPORTION OF THE UK'S ASSESSMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THEM WITH EFFECT FROM THE 1992 ASSESSMENT. AS AN INDICATOR OF COST, THE UK'S ASSESSMENT FOR 1991 FOR VESSELS USING THE SERVICE IN 1989 WAS 177,416 US DOLLARS. OF THIS, 111,795 US DOLLARS COVERED DEPENDENT TERRITORIES VESSELS AS FOLLOWS: HONG KONG 77,280 US, IOM 23147 US, GIBRALTAR 5628 US, BERMUDA 3741 US AND CAYMANS 2019 US. THE 1992 ASSESSMENT WILL COVER COSTS INCURRED IN THE 1990 ICE SEASON. WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THIS PROPOSAL BY 30 NOVEMBER.

5. (FOR HONG KONG). CHINA IS CURRENTLY A NON-CONTRIBUTING BENEFICIARY OF THE AGREEMENT. WE WILL NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT ACTION, IF ANY, NEEDS TO BE TAKEN POST 1997. CLEARLY HOWEVER WE WOULD TAKE THE VIEW THAT BENEFICIARIES SHOULD

PAY FOR THE SERVICE.

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