PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
GRPS 295
FM HONG KONG 150305Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
COP COPY
TO PRIORITY F.C.O TELNO.1261 OF 15 DECEMBER 77.
FOR THOMPSON FROM HO.
YOUR TELNO.959: 1.L.0 CONVENTIONS.
156;
HKK 211/625/1
REXPLO
INDEX
1. WE ARE A LITTLE SURPRISED AT YOUR REACTION TO THE EXCO
MINUTES OF 29 NOVEMBER.
15 DECOWY
2. WE CONFIRM THAT ''REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE' COVERS RENEWAL.
3. EXCO CONSIDERED THAT THE PROPOSED CENTRAL FUND TO FINANCE THE COSTS OF REPAIR AND RENEWAL OF PROSTHESES AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES WAS PREMATURE IN VIEW OF EXISTING SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE INCLUDING PARTIAL OR FULL REMISSION OF CHARGES. PENDING CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER THESE COSTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY COMPULSORY INSURANCE UNDER THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (A WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW THIS ORDINANCE WILL BE ESTABLISHED EARLY IN 1978), WE NOW INTEND TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT INJURED WORKMEN DO NOT HAVE TO MEET THESE COSTS THEMSELVES. WE ARE CONSIDERING FURTHER WHETHER THESE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE US TO NOTIFY FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE 10 OF CONVENTION 17.
4. BARRING UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS AT LEGCO ON 21 DECEMBER WE EXPECT LEGISLATIVE COVER FOR IMPROVED DECLARATIONS TO BE MADE ON CONVENTION 17 (ARTICLE 9) AND CONVENTION 90 BY END OF 1977. AS REGARDS CONVENTION 42, AGREEMENT HAS NOW BEEN REACHED WITH AIA ON MAIN FEATURES OF THE COMPENSATION SCHEME
AND THE DRAFT BILL IS BEING FINALISED. AS THE ASSOCIATION WISHES TO HAVE ANOTHER MONTH TO CONSULT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE BILL, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE THE BILL INTO LEGCO BEFORE MID FEBRUARY 1978.
PLEASE ALSO SEE LETTER OF 4 NOVEMBER TO STEWART.
ROBERTS
FILES
HK & GD (5)
OLA
MR MURRAY
CONFIDENTIAL