TNAG-0454-FCO40-519-Application-of-international-labour-conventions-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 47

BACKGROUND NOTE

W/1611

1.

HMG are required to deposit declarations with the ILO

stating the extent to which the provisions of a convention that

HMG have ratified will be applied to British dependent

territories.

In cases where the initial declaration is not one

of full application, improved declarations can be made

subsequently.

2.

Mr James Sillars MP (Labour, South Ayrshire) has a

particular interest in labour affairs in Hong Kong, including

the application of ILO conventions. In the past he has suggested

that HMG should set up an enquiry into the application of ILO

conventions to Hong Kong. He raised the matter as recently as

20 March, when he asked for a list of ILO conventions fully

operative in the United Kingdom but not fully operative in Hong

Kong. He also raised the matter again in the House on 27 March,

when he asked a supplementary question about the application of

ILO conventions to Hong Kong. Relevant extracts from Hansard

are attached.