that permanent night work was avoided. This issue
would need to be submitted to Ministers.
3. After discussion about the weakness (in relation
to the magnitude of the task they had to perform) of
the Inspectorate Division of the Labour Department the
Governor agreed to a suggestion that an expert from
the UK might visit the Colony to survey the position.
He shared the doubts of the Labour Adviser whether
there was the necessary technical expertise in Hong
Kong to combat the dangers of exposure to high lead
content in the atmosphere in factories making electro-
nic equipment. It was agreed that an advisory visit
of this nature would be considered urgently.
4.
He
The Governor spoke about labour courts a proposed
innovation in which he was keenly interested. Dispu-
tants in these courts would not be legally represented
so that no costs would fall on the parties, and pro-
vided the courts confined themselves to specific
claims as opposed to generalised labour complaints, he
was convinced they would serve a useful purpose.
indicated that much details thinking remained to be
done before legislation could be brought forward.
5. In connection with the continuing necessity to
keep legislation in labour matters under review the
Governor was asked whether he intended to try to
retain the services of Mr. Goodwin. He agreed to
consider whether any attractive offer could be made
such as might persuade Mr. Goodwin to accept a further
period of service in Hong Kong; his impression had
been that Mr. Goodwin was not looking for further
employment in Hong Kong. The Overseas Labour Adviser
thought that in accepting an appointment in the ODM,
/ Mr.