ID/1974-75/78
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF A MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY
A deputation from the International Committee, led by Ian Mikardo, M.P. not the Foreign Secretary on April 23rd to discuss Hong Kong. The other memborg 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 oither wholly or partially inoporativo in Hong Kong and suggested that ratifying then might be a possiblo first stop. Unions are kept fragmented and then this is used as the excuse for not allowing then to operate. Ian Mikerdo scid that on the basis of information received from the Foreign Offico 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, ho 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 monbers. Jin Callaghan said that he thought there might be one or two trade unionists and ho said he would look at any proposals.
Jir Callachan added that next time 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 frenework 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 provont a trade union from functioning. Jin Callaghan thought that perhaps the TUC in Britzia might look into the structure of unionisn there, and there could possibly be a Donovan Corinsion in modified fɔrn. Ho lso rsked that the National Union of Scrmen should send him a written submission on the Hong Kong situation.
The last point made was that out of 65 ILO Conventi ne ratifiod in Britain, 30 applied wholly or in part to Hong Kong. Tho prsition is reviewed annually. Moro irforuation would be sent to the Interntional Committoc in due course,
It wag agroed that there should be further discussions about the situation in Hong Kong, between the International Committed and the Foreign Office.
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