B.
GENERAL
i.
POLITICAL MATTERS
A POSSIBLE DEBATE ON HONG KONG
6. Hong Kong was raised during the Foreign Affairs debate
on 1 March and has been the subject of a large number of
Questions in recent weeks from both sides of the House. While
this is a matter for my right honourable Friend the Lord
President of the Council to consider in the first instance, my
own view is that any matters that have not already been covered
would now be more expeditiously dealt with through Questions.
BRITISH INTERFERENCE IN HONG KONG
7. Her Majesty's Government and the Hong Kong Government boun
have responsibilities for the welfare of the people of Hong Kong.
It is natural that there should be a regular exchange of views
about the measures that should be taken to further the interests
of the population of Hong Kong.
POLITICAL PARTIES IN HONG KONG
8.
Political parties are not banned in Hong Kong and there is
nothing to prevent their formation.
÷
ii. LABOUR MATTERS
LABOUR CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG
9. There has been considerable progress in recent years and
the Hong Kong Government has set itself a target of achieving
a level of legislation governing safety, health and conditions
of employment at least broadly equivalent to the best in Asian
countries neighbouring Hong Kong whose stage of economic
development and social and cultural background are similar to
Hong Kong's. It is hoped to achieve this within a period of
! about five years.