SECRET
The new Labour Relations Bill would provide statutory backing for the Labour Relations Service of the Department of Labour, and assist in the settlement of labour disputes. Labour relations were generally good, but rash action by one injudicious management could have wide and unpredictable repercussions. Apart from the simple question of labour relations, the Government was much concerned to improve working conditions (especially safety).
11.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts recognised that the Hong Kong Government had a two-fold role. It should initiate legislation to improve conditions, and it should provide the framework in which combination and negotiation could occur. On the latter, it was not for the Government to prompt the exact nature of trade union activity.
12.
It was suggested that the UK Trades Union Congress now seemed to accept that Hong Kong was making satisfactory progress on labour affairs generally. Lord Goronwy-Roberts hoped that this progress would be continued.
IV The Death Penalty
13.
Sir Murray MacLehose said that the Executive Council
currently accepted the necessity for commutation and that he had told them it would be very difficult for him to accept any advice not to commute. He suggested that, if this line could be maintained, and particularly if people became less worried about the incidence of violent crime, the issue might become less sensitive in Hong Kong and it might then be possible to abolish the death sentence without major public disquiet. A series of messy murders could, on the contrary, make the issue more sensitive than ever. In the meantime the fight against crime would be continued and, if it succeeded, public confidence would increase. Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed that if possible the status quo should be adhered to for the time being.
V Chinese Illegal Immigrants
14.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts said there had been little reaction to the first returns of illegal immigrants. It was important that the screening process should be sufficient to permit genuine refugees to be identified.
SECRET
/15.
Page 90Page 91
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.