TNAG-0485-FCO40-550-UK-publications-on-labour-and-social-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 93

AN JONY GREY:

S.T. KIDD:

ANTHONY GREY:

The report says that the social conditions, the

labour conditions, are a standing disgrace.

Would you say that is an accurate assessment?

2.

Well, the report makes frequent reference to the

colony's deplorable record in social services,

when, in fact, 38% of our current budget is devoted

to housing, education, medical and welfare services,

and another 28% to essential community services such

as roads, fire service, water supplies. Indeed,

the Government has budgeted for a deficit this year

but is spending more money than ever before on building

new towns, new communications and new public services,

such as the mass transit system and new water schemes.

You say that the Government is budgeting for a deficit

this year.

I think that is directly opposed to

Mr. Sillars' view he says that the budget is always

in surplus and that the surplus is sent back to the

U.K.

S.T. KIDD:

Well, indeed, there is a great deal of play made in

the report and by Mr. Sillars about the size of our

sterling balances in London. In fact, Hong Kong's

official reserves amount to no more than 50% of the

colony's annual expenditure.

ANTHONY GREY:

Another aspect which the report lays great emphasis

on is the prostitution and drug taking. Prostitution

is a serious disgrace and Hong Kong is one of the

drug centres of the world. Is this something

.../.