RESTRICTED
the Government Secretariat which had already taken place. It was not, of course, meant to imply any change in the status of Hong Kong
HICK 210/1 5.
Mag D
Mag E
Most of Mr Hooley's remaining Questions appear to have been inspired by Mr Gillard's article on child labour in "The Guardian" on 22 April (about which the Hong Kong Government Commissionor in London has since written to the Editor of
"The Guardian").
G:llard was a member of the Granada TV team that produced a documentary film programme on child labour in Hong Kong in December. That programme gave rise to a number of letters from MPs and members of the public and, following one from Mr Willie Rodgers LF, Secretary for Transport, ourlier this year, the Secretary of State said that he was not happy about the level of fines imposed on ouployers for offences against the child Tabour laws in Hong Kong. Lord Goronwy-Robarte hu writton to the Governor of Hong Kong about this but in the meantime the Attorney General in owt Kong has initiatod prosecutions by moors of his dopartment which have resulted in the imposition of much higher fines.
1 submit draft replies based mainly on information supplied Magsby the Hong Kon: Government (long Kon, telegrams nos. 448 of 4 May and 461 or may). The OLA, FED und Hd Embassy Peking concur as appropriate.
F. G
& II
1
HKK 212/312/1
6 May 1977
001
PS/Lord Coronwy-Roberts
Mr Cortazzi
Mir Hurst Mr Samuel
JAB Stewart
liong Kong & General Dept
RESTRICTED