Mr. Stewart
Reference.....
HKK 5/8
will @
The HR legn Leave my resemblance to
Model.
GF.
Please see the minutes below from Mr. Foggon and Mr. Gordon-Smith. Hong Kong's proposals to amend their Illegal Strikes and Lock-Outs Ordinance have evoked strong reactions from them. (Mr. Foggon is flying to Hong Kong on Saturday 25th January, and is taking with him copies of Hong Kong's proposals, and the two above minutes).
2.
Mr. Foggon's minute does not take account of the fact that the main reason for the amendments proposed are that Hong Kong intends to enact permanent legislation to replace the present Ordinance, which has to be renewed annually at present, and they see these amendments as a means of strengthening the legislation. The explanatory memorandum at the enclosure to (1) explains the purpose of the amendments, although
paragraph 4 of (1) concedes that the "Ordinance itself has never been invoked and even with the proposed
amendments it is difficult to conceive of circumstances in which it might be of actual practical value
鲁
13. (1) also refers to the Model Ordinance commended
by the Secretary of State in 1960, and subsequently referred to by Mr. Carter in his letter of 13th September, 1966,((1),of FED.848/401/82). I understand from Miss Swan that this Ordinance has been the subject of continuous amendment and revision and it is not possible to obtain a copy of the latest completed Model; no comparison is therefore possible. Hong Kong's present draft is under consideration, the existing Ordinance has been extended, by the Commissioner of Labour, for a further period of six months, as from 31st December, 1968.
4.
While
Because of the possible urgency of contacting Mr. Foggon before his departure, I have not submitted a draft Saving Despatch to Hong Kong at this stage. Also, I apologise for the delay in this file reaching you, apart from travelling between various advisers, it was subjected to considerable delay over the extended Christmas last year.
23 January, 1969
Α
1. R. Maway.
(I. R. Murray)
Hong Kong Department
C