TNAG-0485-FCO40-550-UK-publications-on-labour-and-social-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 42

I R Price Esq JF TD Commissioner for Labour Labour Department Hong Kong

to see

NKK13/15

November 1974

RESEARCH INTO SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG

1. I have been conscious during my visits to Hong Kong that I have had insufficient time to talk to those concerned at the two universities about what they are doing in the field of social research and what happens to their findings. When I came to write up my report after my February visit, I had to rely, for example, when looking at the housing question, on the 1968 survey carried out by the University of Hong Kong which is much quoted in Chapter 7 of "Hong Kong: The Industrial Colony" edited by Keith Hopkins. (In particular, see the notes on sources at pages 330 and 331).

2.

I was reminded of this gap by a short article on the Book Review page of the Far East Economic Review for 1 November (page 35) where it is stated that "Hong Kong's two universities are now producing a substantial volume of the research findings of their staff, both as individuals and as members of various research institutes.". It would be interesting to know whether within your own Department, to take one example, adequate arrangements exist for those reports impinging on your sphere of responsibility to be suitably examined. Perhaps equally important: is there any mechanism within the Hong Kong Government by which special surveys and pieces of research can be instigated or commissioned?

3. Distorted assessments of Hong Kong's social conditions, such as "Hong Kong: A Case to Answer" are likely to come along more frequently, I should have thought, int the future, and one of the best defences against criticism would be the results of well-conducted research projects specifically undertaken to provide the basis for better Government policies.

blind copy: Mr Stuart HKIOB

G Foggon