CONFIDENTIAL
Original at: Mik This Copy for: HILL 012/578/1
Informc.01
Para()
any/Action ca
RECORD OF A MEETING IN MR CORTAZZI'S, ROOM ON 20 JULY AT 11.15 AM
Present:
Mr Cortazzi
Sir M MacLehose
9
Mr Larmour
Mr Stewart
Mr O'Keeffe
1. It was agreed that the object of the meeting was to discuss Sections V and VI of the Planning Paper of Hong Kong as a preliminary to the meeting with Lord Goronwy-Roberts arranged for Wednesday, 21 July. Sir M MacLeho se also indicated that he wished to discuss the mechanics for an exchange of information between the Department and the Hong Kong Government, the need for which had been stated in the Planning Paper.
2. Mr Cortazzi explained that he had not yet heard of the matters Lord Goronwy-Roberts wished to discuss but he thought it very probable that he would be concerned primarily with Sections V and VI of the Paper. Sir M MacLehose thought the best procedure would be to go through paragraph 23 of Annex C of the Paper with Lord Goronwy-Roberts since this contained the specific programme for action over the next five years. Speaking generally, he thought it was entirely natural for Ministers to want to adopt the proposed plan which would adequately bridge the gap over this period by which time the Hong Kong situation would, in his view, be an easier one for Ministers here to manage. He did not agree with the assessment of the Planning Paper that the Hong Kong problem would get more difficult with the years but acknowledged that this was the FCO view and proper to include in an FCO Planning Paper. Mr Larmour asked whether the Governor agreed that there was a need for an announcement of the proposed plan of action and, if so, if he agreed that an announcement would best be made in Hong Kong, preferably during the Governor's annual speech at the opening of the next session of the Legislative Council in October. Sir M MacLehose replied that he would greatly favour this. It would be relatively easy to present it as the Hong Kong Government's conclusions. on what social development in Hong Kong would be desirable over the next five years now that Hong Kong was safely through the recession. He thought such a state- ment would be welcomed in Hong Kong; but he was convinced that an announcement of the proposed labour legislation should be confined to the specific programme for the next legislative session, combined with the general statement that the aim in the longer term was to bring labour standards in the Colony at least up to the best Asian equivalent (excluding Japan). He thought that specific mention in October of the prospects for a minimum wage and for introducing statutory hours of employment would hinder the substantial programme for labour legislation planned for the next session; and believed
CONFIDENTIAL
/that
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.