Confidential
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taking was the setting up of Labour Courts. On his forthcoming visit to Hong Kong he would be discussing this and other related matters. In the labour relations field Hong Kong had peculiar difficulties to overcome, not least, the sharp division of the Trade Unions themselves along political lines.
Mr. Gibson then expressed his anxiety about the role of the
Police in Hong Kong, who, he felt, implemented the law strictly according to the letter to the disadvantage of the workers. He was, however, satisfied with the new law on picketing.
Mr. Royle stressed the difference between the situation in
Hong Kong and that in the United Kingdom. It was difficult to
bring conditions there in line with those in Britain.
Mr. Foggon said that the expression "offences against Public Order" in the clause of the proposed Bill (dealing with the debarment from official positions in a Trade Union of individuals who had committed certain offences) was too widely
drawn and was being examined by us. The TUC were concerned
about this definition.
Mr. Gibson returned again to the question of the implemen-
tation of the Law. He had himself seen instances where the
Factory Inspectorate regulations were not enforced. In this
connection, he felt bribery undoubtedly played a part.
Mr. Royle said that, in the East, there was a traditional diffe-
rence in attitude to corruption, however deplorable this might
be. But he felt that corruption was far less rife in Hong Kong than in other Far Eastern countries. It was to deal with this
situation that the Anti-Corruption Bill had been introduced. This was a tough measure which would necessitate some cutting
back of the freedom of the individual, but the problem could
only be effectively dealt with by such means.
Hong Kong Department
October, 1970.
Confidential