TNAG-0232-FCO40-268-Legislation-relating-to-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-1970 — Page 98

CYPHER CAT/A

ROUTINE

HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NC 725.

CONFIDENTIAL 31922/17

YOUR TELEGRAM 720.26

CONFIDENTIAL

TO F.C.0. LONDON

DATED 17 OCTOPER 1978

TRADE UNION REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL.

I REGRET THAT YOUR LEGAL ADVISERS SHOULD HAVE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT CLAUSE 12(C) AT THIS LATE STAGE.

2. HOWEVER, BEARING IN MIND YOUR POSSIBLE POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS CLAUSE I AM PREPARED TO AMEND BILL AS SUGGESTED IN PARA. 2 GF YOUR TELEGRAM, DEFORE ITS FRESENTATION TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

3.

AS YOU AWARE, THE SUGGESTION THAT PERSONS CONVICTED OF CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER SHOULD BE BARRED FROM HOLDING OFFICE IN A UNION CAME FROM UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL WHO MAY BE RELUCTANT

TO SEE THE ROPOSAL DROPPED.

4. 1 AM ALSO PREPARED TO DROP CLAUSE 24 OF THE BILL, WHICH HAS ATTRACTED SOME ADVERSE PUBLICITY,

5. I HOPE THAT I MAY NOW BE ABLE TO RELY ON YOUR FULL SUPPORT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS BILL.

SIR.T.TRENCH.

FILES H.K.D.

C.L.A.

26

43

ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION

U.N.D. COPIES

Discussed wit Mr teaton

* 19/10.

некори

CONFIDENTIAL