LABOUR MATTERS
TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES
12. It is the Hong Kong Government's policy, supported by
Her Majesty's Government, to encourage the development and growth of trades unions in Hong Kong.
PROFESSOR TURNER'S STUDY OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG
13. Professor Turner has submitted an interim study of labour
relations in Hong Kong which is now under consideration. I cannot yet say whether this interim study will be published.
ILO CONVENTIONS
14. It is the policy of the Hong Kong Government, supporte by Her Majesty's Government, to improve and develop its application of ILO Conventions to the fullest extent possible. As my Right Honourable friend the Prime Minister informed my Honourable friend the member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne East on 2 December last, considerable progress was made in the last year. It is expected that improvements will be made in respect of four Conventions within the next 12 months.
DEFENCE
THE HONG KONG GARRISON
15. The main provisions of the Defence Costs Agreement, which came into force in April last year, were announced to the H on 19 December 1975. As my Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence told my Honourable friend the member for Sheffield Heeley on 9 November last, I am satisfied that the agreement remains in the best interests of bother Her Majesty's Government and the Hong Kong Government.
CHINESE ASPECTS
HONG KONG'S "UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES" AND A WARSAW PACT PRESENCE
16. I would not wish to add to the reply which my Honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to my Honourable friend on 10 February [that these 'unique circumstances' would not allow for consular representation 'in all cases'].
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