PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
21 March 1979
for WRITTEN answer on.
HK&GD.
The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Unit through your Under-Secretary by
Q
5.
NOON ON TUESDAY
20 MARCH 1979.
La Mr Robert Parry (Liverpool'; Scotland Exchange): To ask the
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will instruct the Hong Kong Government to introduće at statutory minimum fine at a high level for firms convicted of employing child labour.
Mr. Evan Luard
The
No. It is important that magistrates should be free to
adjust the fine to suit the circumstances of each case.
maximum penalty for the illegal employment of children in
industrial undertakings was raised from HK$5,000 to HK$10,000
in 1977 and the average fine has risen fourfold since 1974.
20/3