400
RIORITY
CLAIR
HONG KONG 161100Z
UNCLASSIFIED
HKK 212/5 RECEIVED IN REGIS VRO. 51 18 AUG 1978
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the paw CLE
TO PRIORITY F.C.0 TELNO.996 OF 16 AUGUST 78,
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON,
YOUR TELNO.633 (NOT TO ALL): LABOUR CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG.
1. THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR (MR HENDERSON) GAVE THE FOLLOWING ANOVER TO MICO LYDIA DUNN'S QUESTION IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
FOR TEXT OF QUESTION SEE MY TELNO.975); BEGINS;
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF WHAT WAS SAID BY THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON 24 JULY,
HE DID NOT IN FACT SUGGEST THAT HONG KONG HAD NO HEALTH AND SAFETY OR SOMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION, ALTHOUGH HE DID SAY THAT HONG
KONG WORKERS ARE GROSSLY EXPLOITED,
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO THIS STATEMENT,
1 UNDERSTAND THAT THE REMARK, WHICH WAS MADE DURING THE COURSE OF A DEBATE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE BRITISH CUTLERY INDUSTRY SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A CONSIDERED STATEMENT OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT'S VIEW.
ENDS
2. THE FOLLOWING EXCHANGES OCCURRED AS PART OF THE SUPPLEMENTARIES:
(A) MISS DUNN,
SIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR'S UNDERSTANDING
THAT THESE REMARKS SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A CONSIDERED STATEMENT
OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT'S VICES, HOW DOES THE COMMISSIONER
RECONCILE H.M.G'S CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG ON
THE CHE HAND, WITH THE APPARENT PREJUDICE AND IGNORANCE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS AND SOCIAL PROGRESS OF SOME OF ITS MINISTERS ON THE
OTHERY
FOR I..