Mr Munray
PS/Lord Goronwy-Robert Phe
A
1.
typs
PalakkÆDDERLING,
AA- ་
HKK
439/
IN REGISTAT NO. 3 1 JAN:978
DESK OFFICES
INDEX
No
N&ID
PA
احكم
REGI
JAction T
HONG KONG : MP'S LETTER : MR ARTHUR LATHAM MP
Mr Arthur Latham MP (Labour
Paddington) has
written to the Secretary of State about the dispute between
the Hong Kong Government and the Shorthand and Audio Typists Association. In particular he asked what jurisdiction HMG has in this dispute.
2. As Lord Goronwy-Roberts made clear at my meeting with him on 24 January, constitutionally the Secretary of State can direct the Governor to take a particular
course of action. However, this power has not been used for some thirty years and it is unlikely that it would be invoked for this, relatively minor, affair.
In any case, we have always managed to avoid matters reaching
such a pitch and I am hopeful that we shall be able to
do so in this case.
3.
I submit a draft reply.
The OLA concurs.
26 January 1978
cc: OLA
fa. B. Beaut
JA B Stewart
Hong Kong and General Department
(12)