TNAG-0518-FCO40-613-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 51

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as you, and we, have] recommended to him. He finds it difficult to conceive that it would not be possible to find three suitable people, preferably from the MACS, when the terms of membership of ten members of legCo expire next June. He is not convinced that the introduction of members representing wider social strata would be disruptive to good government in long Kong, particularly bearing in mind the fact that LogCo is advisory and not executive in character (I agree, move a constitutional nicety than a fact of experience) Te believes that it would be difficult for him to defend the present situation on the grounds that the body needs to be socially cohesive if it is to function efficiently or that rapid promotion from, say, a MAC would be impossible. In his view, the aim should be to look for people with adequate potential, not necessarily people who are reuly for full and effective participation in Leglo's activities now. He has, therefore, instructed me to sound out you? views on how this change could be effected and what possible candidates could be found.

41.

He recognised that Hong Kong's record on adherence to ILO Conventions is a good one as compared with othe Asian countries and was glad to note that a number of other Conventions might be extended to Hong Kong over lan next year.

Ile remains sensitive, however, to ponsible criticism that there may be other ILO Conventions to ubjob Hong Kong could be party and has approved the mingention that the performance of lion; Kong in these respects abould be reviewed by Lord Goronvy-Roberts every January go Mhesh, he can assure the NEC that the Government is witching the situation closely.

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Mr Callaghan also accepted that the possibility of a mini-Donovan which he had suggested to the NRC van noi. really a starter but he felt that further information needed on the labour relations and trade union situation in Hong Kong from some well-qualified source. There did not, in his view, seem at present to be a body of informed knowledge on this subject in this country and he felt heb the advice tendered to you by the Jabour Advisory Bonn! did not, on the evidence, adequately cover the specter of employer and employee opinion in the Colony witherm the public reaction to the recent Labour Relations Bill. Je recognised the difficulty of mkin; the Board prope 17 representative, given the total non-cooperation of the communist trade unions representing nearly 85% of traden

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