4
need
19. The second nete is to use the period up to 1981 to plan and agree with Hong Kong those areas where further social progress is to be achieved. We are at present restricted to some expenditure extant because we must wait for the Turner report before dealing with labour relations and related aspects such as minimum wage. However, there are other possibilities, those which spring to mind are:-
a) Extension of the contributory social security scheme to
include retirement and unemployment benefits.
b) Improvements in housing standards.
c) Improvements in educational standards.
d)
e)
f)
g)
Extension of the public assistance scheme and an improvement, in real terms, of benefits.
Free medical and hospital treatment.
Progress in industrial health and safety law enforcement.
A shorter working week
eek
h) Alimit on hours of work.
i)
Further statutory holidays.
Chilcuees Allee
j) Extension of the home ownership scheme.
I would suggest that a start be made in discussing these, and any other, improvements as soon as possible. We are frequently told by Hong Kong that a major restriction on further development is a lack of trained staff. We must therefore allow lead time to overcome this problem.
3 OTHER MATTERS
sufficient
a)
Brunei
20. Discussions are still in progress but the Sultan's appeal to The Queen is likely to be rejected shortly. The withdrawal of the Gurkha Battalion is likely to have a minimal impact on Hong Kong as reinforcement will probably, at worst, take only a little longer and training facilities are expected to be retained. We have provided the Governor with a line to take in dealing with Press
enquiries. A talagraum today confines that he is content for
the present.
b)
21.
Refugees
We
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Hong Kong still has about 500 'Boat People' from Vietnam and a total of some 10,000 Indo-Chinese refugees who are becoming a substantial burden. A number of refugees are expected to be accepted by other countries, principally the USA, and would have approached the Home Office, who are largely sympathetic, with a view to the UK accepting a further 50 Boat people.
/c)