PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
THE LABOUR PARTY
I'
1
ID/1974-75/108
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
LETTER FROM THE FOREIGN SECRETARY ON
HONG KONG.
"Doar Mik,
I have now boon able to reflect on the advice I have been given on the various points raised when you and other members of the NEC called on me on 23 April to discuss Hong Kong.
"On the question of membership of the Logislative Council, I can say two things. The first is that, while I would prefer to soo constitutional pro- gress in Hong Kong, as elsewhere in our remaining dependencies, I think progress must to a large extent dopend upon Chinese attitudes. I do not think you will nced any reminding that wo have no vested interest in non-olectivo logislatures anywhore, least of all in our remaining Colonial possessions. But in consider- ing ways forward, we would be very unwise to ignoro the dangers, not only to Hong Kong itself but also to our relations with China, if we sought to introduco an electoral syston against the wishes of China. As I told you on 23 April, the Chinese were not at all happy over the election of somo one of known KITT affilia- tions to tho Urban Council. This is illustrative of the difficulties wo night encounter in seeking to introduce popular representation in the Logislative Council, which is a body of much wider powers.
"The second is that I share the Committee's concern at the prosent social composition of the Legislative Council. It is, in my view, too homogeneous and not sufficiently representative of all sections of the community. I accept that it will not be easy to find poople of the right stature from the population at large but I an asking the Governor to have a very close look at this over the next few months with a view to seeing what can bo done to renedy the situation. I hope to have news about this in due course.
"I was glad that the Committee once again brought the question of Hong Kong adherence to the Conventions of the ILO to my attention because I
I have think we can effect some improvement in our present arrangonents here. accepted a proposal that Hong Kong's performance in this respect should be looked at in January each year by Goronwy Roberts who will examine the situation with a view to introducing a more dynamic approach. I think that Hong Kong's perfor- nance is quite creditable, particularly when compared with her Asian neighbours, but clearly as a territory for which we are responsible the highest standards nust bo naintainod.
"I think wo are all agrood that the trade union situation in Hong Kong differs vory considerably from our own and that many of tho points made by Sam McCluskie with relation to scamen, and yourself about the more general problem, noed looking into. One difficulty is that not enough is yet known about tho labour relations situation in Hong Kong in its political and sociolog- ical context, to cono to any sensible conclusions as to how and where things might be bottered. I am thinking of commissioning a study of the whole nattor but the nodalities will require careful consideration and I will lot you know I think what we have in mind when the Governor has been able to give advice. a mini-Donovan, a suggestion I put forward at our meeting on 23 April, would probably be too conspicuous. But we may be able to achieve the sane results with a lower profile.
"My advisors horo agree that Hong Kong trado union logislation, as
There is a Bill you suggosted, may be sonowhat antiquated and over-olaborato. at present before the Legislative Council which should do something to inprovo nattors and I am told that Hong Kong practico is more liberal on such matters as nagociation, and employment of paid officinla by unions, than the letter of tho