GPS
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM F C O 151815Z
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEN REGISTRY P. 51
22 MAR 1974
(HK)
NKK 3/548/44
IN
2
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 5/26
1974
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TEL NO 286 OF 15 MARCH INFO PEKING
FROM HK TOD
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
LAST
REF.
T
NEXT
RES
7
1. MR JAMES SILLARS HAS PUT DOWN A QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER ON 27 MARCH, TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE IF HE WILL PAY AN EARLY VISIT TO HONG KONG, WE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND THE ANSWER QUOTE I HAVE NO PRESENT PLANS TO VISIT HONG KONG UNQUOTE.
2.
THIS IS A NORMAL PARLIAMENTARY DEVICE LEADING TO WIDE- RANGING SUPPLEMENTARIES, WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND
SUPPLEMENTARIES ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:- (A) THE END OF THE LEASE
THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASE DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 1997.
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE SO
FAR IN THE FUTURE.
(3)
WHY NOT GIVE UP HONC KONG?
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE CONTENT WTH THE PRESENT SITUATION AND DO NOT INTEND TO RAISE THE OVERALL QUESTION OF HONG KONG FOR A LONG TIME. WE ADMINISTER. THE COLONY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE 4 MILLION INHABITANTS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE THERE, THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY CHANGE. (C) WAGE RATES AND LABOUR CONDITIONS
WAGES IN HONG KONG ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE FAR EAST GUTSIDE JAPAN. MY LABOUR ADVISER HAS RECENTLY MADE ONE OF HIS PERIODIC VISITS TO THE COLONY, I HOPE TO HAVE HSIS REPORT SHORTLY, (D) ILO CONVENTIONS
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1973, 19 ILO CONVENTIONS HAD BEEN APPLIED WITHOUT MODIFICATION TO HONG KONG, AND 10 APPLIED WITH SOME MODIFICATION, THIS COMPARES WITH 29 CONVENTIONS RATIFIED. BY JAPAN, 18 BY THE PHILIPPINES, C BY MALAYSIA, 8 BY INDONESIA AND 4 BY SINGAPORE.
AE) ELECTIONS TO
CONFIDENTIAL