GPS 200
HORITY CYPHER/CAT A
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FM FCO 2313007
CONFIDENTIAL
23 MAK.///
HKK 218 N
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELMO 215 OF 23 MARCH 1977.
HOBLEY'S LETTER OF 27 JANUARY TO STEWART: CHILD LABOUR.
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1. A HUMBER OF MPS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE WRITTEN TO MINISTERS SINCE THE GRANADA TV PROGRAMME QUOTE WORLD IN ACTION UNQUOTE LAST DECEMBER ABOUT CHILD LABOUR IN HONG KONG. IM REPLY MINISTERS HAVE DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE ANSWERS, GIVEN TO IR PARRY'S QUESTIONS ON 8 DECEMBER AND HAVE EXPLAINED THE PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE TO IMPROVE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG, PARTICULAPLY FOR YOUNG PERSONS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HIMSELF HAS RECENTLY WRITTEN ALONG THESE LINES TO MR WILLIAM RODGERS MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, WHO HAD BEEN SENT A RESOLUTION BY HIS CONSTITUENCY LABOUR PARTY CALLING FOR A BAN 01 THE IMPORT OF TOYS QUOTE PRODUCTED BY CHILD LABOUR UNQUOTE IN HONG KONG. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS SAID, HOWEVER, THAT HE IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE LEVEL OF FIRES (20) BEING IMPOSED ON E'T LOYERS WHO FRINGE THE CHILD LABOUR LAYS.
HE HAS ASKED WHAT CAN DE DONE TO INCREASE THE FIRES. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE ACTION! CONTEMPLATED IN HOPLEY'S LETTER UNDER REFERENCE? IF NOT, DO YOU PLAN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM IN ANY OTHER WAY?
2. PLEASE PASS COPY TO STEWART AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
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