TNAG-0332-FCO40-368-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 23

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Tuesday, March 7, 1972

The Foreign Secretary replied: "The general assurance that one can

give to the people of Hong Kong on this count is that they will have an advocate

inside the Councils of the Community.

"Agreement was reached that Hong Kong should be included in the

Community's generalised preference scheme.

"We are pressing now for Hong Kong's inclusion in the generalised

preference schemes of other donor countries, notably those of America, Japan

and Denmark."

The Hon. Stanley Orme asked: "Is the Rt. Hon. Gentleman aware that

in Lancashire, not just in textiles but in other industries, there is concern

about the low wages paid in Hong Kong and about the effect that these have on

our own industry? While industrialists and trade unions in Lancashire are not

opposed to Hong Kong and while they realise that they have to export, did the

Rt. Hon. Gentleman have any discussions about conditions of work and about

trade union organisation, bearing in mind that Hong Kong is still a British

Colony?"

We had talks about

These are

Replying to Mr. Orme, Sir Alec said: "Yes, sir.

the whole range of industry, including textiles and conditions.

sensitive matters. If the Hon. Gentleman wishes to put down a specific question,

I should be prepared to answer it later on."

/The Hon. Sir John

30.