CYPHER/CAT A
Ескара
(15)
CONFIDENTIAL
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 664
3 SEPTEMBER 1970.
CONFIDENTIAL 300920Z
HK15/17 HILKS)!/0
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26
YOUR TELNO 653.
TRADE UNION DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
タル
MAK SIX
THE TEXT OF THE TRADE UNION REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL
HAS, OF COURSE, BEEN THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION AND AGREEMENT
WITH YOU (CORRESPONDENCE ENDING WITH YOUR CONFIDENTIAL SAVING
DESPATCH NO. 240 OF 3RD JULY 1970 REFERS). THE ACTING COLONIAL
SECRETARY'S CONFIDENTIAL LETTER NO. CR 17/5731/69 OF 18TH AUGUST
TO LAIRD IS ALSO RELEVANT. THE GENERAL POSITION IS THAT THE DRAFT
BILL IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION AND MAY WELL BE MODIFIED AS A
RESULT OF THE COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS RECEIVED. IN PARTICULAR, WE
WILL BE LOOKING AGAIN AT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IN CLAUSE 23 TO
SECTION 47 OF THE BILL IN THE LIGHT OF OTHER EXISTING LEGISLATION
COVERING INTIMIDATION.
2, MY COMMENTS ON THE FINANCIAL TIMES ARTICLE ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
(A) THE ARTICLE APPEARS TO OVERSTATE THE STAGE REACHED. THE BILL
HAS BEEN SENT TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD BUT NOT YET
CONSIDERED THERE. IT HAS NOT BEEN TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
AS STATED, IT IS ONLY AT THE STAGE WHERE THE COMMISSIONER OF
LABOUR HAS CALLED FOR COMMENTS ON IT.
(B) THE SECOND PARAGRAPH IS INCORRECT. EMPLOYEES WILL NOT BE
FORBIDDEN TO PICKET A PERSON'S PRIVATE RESIDENCE WHERE THIS IS
THE PLACE WHERE HE WORKS OR CARRIES ON HIS BUSINESS.
(C) PARAGRAPHS 3-5 NOT INCORRECTLY REFLECT CRITICISMS THAT HAVE
BEEN MADE, BUT, AS STATED, THE NEED FOR THIS PROVISION IS UNDER
REVIEW.
LAMAT DENATAL