TNAG-0232-FCO40-268-Legislation-relating-to-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-1970 — Page 38

M

Kinner

emmaira

MI

En.

Reference....

Hong Kong Department. (K.245)

So

The Draft Hong Kong Trade Union Registration

(Amendment Bill.

Mr. Foggon spoke to you yesterday concerning a demi – official letter to Hong Kong which you are addressing, I believe, to the Acting Colonial Secretary.

2.

He has asked me to pass on to you the following draft which he suggests could be included in your letter:-

They

The British TUC have also intervened.

told George Foggon that in view of the anxiety

expressed by General Council members about the

legislation (England and Rear have certainly done

their best to rally support for their views) it was

their intention to ask the Secretary of State to

receive a delegation. Foggon argued, however, that

as the item was already on the agenda of the Overseas

Labour Consultative Committee where Lord Lothian

would be in the chair, there seemed no strong case

for such a delegation. The TUC accepted this

argument and at the meeting the TUC representatives

present seemed reasonably satisfied with the

explanations given about the major points they raised

which concerned picketing, restrictions on holding

office, and "temporary trade unions". A number of

points of detail were also raised, however, and at

least one point outside the scope of the amending

Bill, i.e. fines on unions. It was suggested that

these various points should be discussed between

officials of the TUC and FCO and this was agreed.

/We hope