HKK 430/1
RA WIC
31 JANA
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
No be
From The Minister of State
The Rt Hon The Lord Goronwy-Roberts
30 January 1978
15
Dear distans
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David Owen has asked me to reply to your recent letter about the dispute between the Hong Kong Government and the Shorthand and Audio Typists Association. You are correct in your assumption that other members have received the same letter as yourself.
Constitutionally the Secretary of State has the power to direct the Governor of Hong Kong to take a particular course of action. Such a power is, however, only rarely used mainly because we have always been able to reach agreement with the Hong Kong Government without recourse to such action. Certainly Her Majesty's Government does have a direct responsibility to protect the interests of the people of Hong Kong.
In the case of this dispute we are putting to the Hong Kong Government proposals which we believe could form a basis on which to re-open negotiations. I am hopeful that by this means we will be able to bring the dispute to a satisfactory conclusion.
Arthur Latham Esq MP House of Commons London SW1A OAA
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Toronwy.