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PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL THE LABOUR PARTY
ID/1974-75/78
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF A MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY
A deputation from the International Committee, lod by Ian Mikardo, M.P. not the Foreign Secretary on April 23rd to discuss Hong Kong. The other menbors of the deputation were Alex Kitson, San McCluskie and Jenny Little. Tom McNally and other officials from the Foreign Office were also present.
Ian Mikardo began by saying that the immediate and direct irritant in the situation was the matter of labour relations and conditions. He gave as an example the fact that many ILO conventions were either wholly or partially inoperato in Hong Kong and suggested that ratifying then night be a possible first stop. Unions are kept fragmented and then this is used as the excuso for not allowing them to operate. Ian Mikardo scid that on the basis of information received from the Foreign Office one could see that the need to act was urgent.
Jin Callaghan made the point that Hong Kong was in a unique position, a small area isolated from the hinterland. Ho realised that the situation caused concern, he thought in four areas in particular, with regard to the logislative council, labour relations, ILO conventions and the position of the authorities.
On the first the Foreign Secretary said that he had pressed the governor to widen the representation, as it was comprised mainly of businessmen and this was not good basis on which to work. The Governor had said that the Mutual Aid Committees were probably the right places to look for possible alternative monbors. Jin Callaghan said that he thought there might bo one or two trade unionists and ho said he would look at any proposals.
Jir Callachan added that next tine the Governor was in Britain it would be arranged with good notice, that he should meet the International Committee.
On labour relations it was explained that there was a now bill, that was taking a framework of conciliation and arbitration, with pressure being put on employers. The law has also been amended so that it is an offence to act to prevent a trade union from functioning. Jin Callaghan thought that perhaps the TUC in Britain night look into the structure of unionism there, and there could possibly be a Donovan Com ission in modified forn. Ho low nsked that the National Union of Scaren should send him a written submission on the Hong Kong situation.
The last point made was that out of 65 ILO Conventi s ratified in Britrin, 30 applied wholly or in part to Hong Kong. The position is reviewed annually. More irformation would be sent to the International Committee in due course.
It uns agreed that there should be further discussions about the situation in Hong Kong, between the International Committee and the Foreign Office.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.