CODE 18 - 77
Mr
Quaytrill
Mr Stewart
Howe we
TG Up to
figure
CONFIDENTIAL
LAST PAPER
أحمر
Reference
HKK 210/1
RA..
30 NOV
No i
1.
•
CHILD LABOUR IN HONG
I have consulted with the Overseas Labour Advisers Department on the figures given to Mr Stewart while in Hong Kong, which purport to show the decreasing significance of this problem.
2. We are agreed that the figures are not very convincing and that we should not allow the Labour Department to lull them- selves into a false sense of complacency. At the same time, because of the introduction of free and compulsory junior secondary education, any suggestions must be muted. We have maintained all along that this development in education is the only effective solution to the problem of child labour. How- ever, it will be almost a year until the change starts and three years before it is completed. In the interim, the impetus must not be lost.
3.
The Overseas Labour Adviser has also suggested that we raise the question of whether it is now the practice to frame a seperate count in respect of each child alleged to be illegally employed. This has an obvious bearing on the deterr- ent value of any fine which might be imposed and this point is therefore included in the attached draft.
3 November 1977
rstewart
ви
J Thompson
K245
Hong Kong & General Department
You may be interested to read these minutes: on reflection, I doubt whether there is much to be gained in writing to Hong Kong about what is largely past history. The important thing now is to see how they cope with the new education law plus the banning of child labor i non. industial work. Perhaps we might start a dialogue on that once the cappropriate
legislation has been passed.
W
82257/11
ا التسليهية
CONFIDENTIAL
in
W. Chantill
24111
Tagner. We would not be on strey greend exproach them now. let us weak for liges again in April. Bu, 1/4/785
ви
USAT 7 3/4 Jails 24/4