From the
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
MR BOB CRYER MP
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
ASHDOWN HOUSE
123 VICTORIA STREET
LONDON SWIE 6RB
TELEPHONE DIRECT LINE 01-212 0002
SWITCHBOARD 01- 212 7676
The Rt Hon The Lord Goronwy-Roberts Foreign and Commonwealth Office
LONDON
SW1A 2AH
Dear Gorenly.
2 November 1978
Thank you for your letter of 3 August about my statement on Hong Kong workers towards the end of the adjournment debate on the cutlery industry on 24 July.
I am sorry for the delay in replying but I have been giving the matter deep consideration. I am afraid I cannot agree with your view that my statement that workers in Hong Kong are exploited was unjustified. I note for example that Hong Kong does not appear to have comprehensive legislative provisions entitling an injured worker to medical aid, or making the employer responsible for its cost. There also appear to be no proposals to introduce a compre- hensive social security scheme with the resultant lack of provision for sickness, old age and unemployment. Options do vary on the adequacy of the provisions made for workers in Hong Kong and I attach a copy of a letter I received recently and which I have undertaken to forward to you as an illustration of this.
You will of course realise that Hong Kong is a subject which arouses strong feelings in this country in such industries as cutlery and textiles. To the extent that working conditions in Hong Kong are detrimental to the workers there and thus also indirectly undermine British industry through cheap imports I do not believe their position can or should be defended.
Унию
uncenly Set tinger
BOB CRYER