W/X
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SWIA OAA
HKK 430
EIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
19 JAN1978
DESK OFFICER
INVEX
No
REGISTRY
PA
Action Take
12th January, 1978.
Rt. Hon. Lord Goronwy-Roberts, Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
Downing Street, London, S.W.1.
Dear Goronwy,
Thank you for your letter (to Frank Hooley) of 22nd December about the dispute between the Hong Kong Government and the Shorthand and Audio-Typists Association.
We have now had an opportunity to discuss the matter personally with Mrs. Cheung, Chairman of the Association, and Miss So, Vice-Chairman, and they have expressed strong support for the proposal that an independent arbitrator be appointed to bring this dispute to a conclusion satisfactory to both sides.
11
We have noted that you yourself in your letter of 17th November 1977 to Frank Hooley wrote "I sincerely hope that the Hong Kong Government will accept the proposal of an arbitrator
, and we do not regard it as satisfactory that HMG should bow to the objections of the Hong Kong Government, nor do we accept as convincing the reasons given for their objections. If they have a good case then why should they fear independent arbitration - the Shorthand-Typists are willing to submit to it.
We think it would be perfectly practicable to ask a Member of ACAS to go out to Hong Kong from the UK and investigate this dispute which, if it is allowed to drag on, might seriously damage the effective administration of the Territory.
We would be very willing to come and talk with you about this problem at an early date.
Mh
Yours sincerely,
Rohm Parry
Stan
Nevert
Frank Hooley, MP. Robert Parry, MP. Stan Newens, MP.