GPS
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM FCO 151815Z
CONFIDENTIAL
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REF
CONFIDENTIAL
(HK)
1974
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51
18 MAR 1974
HKK 3/5+8/1Q
1FO TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TEL MO 286 OF 15 MARCH INFO PEKING
FROM HKIOD
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
PA
2
1. MR JAMES SILLARS HAS PUT DOWN A QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER ON 27 MARCH, TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE IF HE WILL PAY AN EARLY VISIT TO HONG KONG. WE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND THE ANSWER QUOTE I HAVE NO PRESENT PLANS TO VISIT HONG KONG UNQUOTE.
2.
THIS IS A NORMAL PARLIAMENTARY DEVICE LEADING TO WIDE- RANGING SUPPLEMENTARIES. WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND SUPPLEMENTARIES ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:-
(A) THE END OF THE LEASE
THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASE DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 1997.
19-209
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE SO
FAR IN THE FUTURE.
(B) WHY NOT GIVE UP HONG KONG?
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE CONTENT WTH THE PRESENT SITUATION AND DO NOT INTEND TO RAISE THE OVERALL QUESTION OF HONG KONG FOR A LONG TIME. WE ADMINISTER THE COLONY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE 4 MILLION INHABITANTS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE THERE. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY CHANGE, (C) WAGE RATES AND LABOUR CONDITIONS
WAGES IN HONG KONG ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE FAR EAST CUTSIDE JAPAN. MY LABOUR ADVISER HAS RECENTLY MADE ONE OF HIS PERIODIC VISITS TO THE COLONY, I HOPE TO HAVE HSIS REPORT SHORTLY
D) ILO CONVENTIONS
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1973, 19, ILO CONVENTIONS HAD BEEN APPLIED WITHOUT MODIFICATION TO HONG KONG, AND 10 APPLIED WITH SOME MODIFICATION. THIS COMPARES WITH 29 CONVENTIONS RATIFIED. BY JAPAN, 10 BY THE PHILIPPINES, 8 BY MALAYSIA, 8 BY INDONESIA AND 4 BY SINGAPORE.:.
CONFIDENTIAL
E). ELECTIONS TO
.
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