TNAG-0296-FCO40-332-Legislation-for-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 64

Restricted

Hong Kong Department

HKK 5/14

Sir H Norman-Walker KCMG OBE

Colonial Secretary Hong Kong

11 March 1971

Thank you for keeping us in touch with developments in connection with the Trade Union Registration (Amendment) Bill grams numbers 130 and 133.

your tele-

I am now enclosing for your records two copies of a note of the meeting we had with the TUC on 5 January, George Foggon was away at the time and it was most fortunate therefore that Goodwin and Allen were able to attend the meeting. We have heard no more from the TUC, but in case they return to the charge we should be grateful if you could let us have your comments on the points they have raised,

You expressed some doubts, incidentally, in your telegram No 1 about the propriety of supplying the TỤC with a copy of the revised text of the Bill. I should like to put your mind at rest about this. As I think you know, both the TUC and the CBI are represen- ted on an official committee - the Overseas Labour Consultative Committee - which sits under the chairmanship of Lord Lothian and which has terms of reference as follows:- "To discuss and, where appropriate, make recommendations on such matters as may from time to time be referred to it concerning Britain's Overseas Aid Programme in the labour field and remaining responsibilities in that field in the dependent territories; the scope of the labour attache service; and related questions." Victor Feather first wrote to the Secretary of State on 24 September 1970 saying that he had received information from Hong Kong about a Bill to amend the Trade Union Registration Ordinance, The letter went on to say that a preliminary study of the proposed amendments suggested that some of them may prove to be unduly restrictive"; the hope was expressed that no action would be taken before there had been time for proper study and discussion of these proposals. The matter subsequently came up for discussion at a meeting of the OLCC on 30 October 1970 where, in view of the detail and scope of the TUC's criticisms, it was proposed that a separate meeting be held with the TUC to go into their complaints in detail. This was the meeting of 5 January 1971. The discussions took place, therefore, under the umbrella of an official Ministerial Committee. I hope this explanation allays your doubts.

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