I think the Committee would agree that the norms of
industrial life in Hong Kong differ very considerably from
our own and that not enough is yet known about the inwardness
of labour relations in Hong Kong in its political and social
context to come to any sensible conclusions as to how and
where things might be bettered. I am thinking of
commissioning a study in depth of the whole matter but the
modalities will require careful consideration and I will let
you know what we have in mind when the Governor has been able
to give us his views.
On the specific question of Hong Kong trade union
legislation, my advisers here suggest that practice in the
Colony is more liberal on such matters as, for example,
federation and employment of paid officials by unions, than
the letter of the law indicates. This does seem to suggest
that a further simplification and clarification of the legis-
lation is sensible and I have asked my Overseas Labour
Adviser to take up the question with the Labour Commissioner
in Hong Kong as a matter of priority.
Finally, I should like to add that the Governor
expects to be in London in November and has offered to
speak to members of the Party about Hong Kong's affairs.
I think