TNAG-0578-FCO40-711-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 49

CONFIDENTIAL THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNTIL

UNDER FO!

HO(2)

EXEMPTION NO of the 4. We cannot, of course, comment on the indiv proposed new appointees, but must rely on the Governor's judgement. They do seem to represent a creditable attempt to widen the social basis of membership and to introduce people representative of wage earners, while retaining some balance between old-style and new-style appointees. We agree that some balance is important this year if the reform is to be safely effected in Hong Kong. We therefore think that these appointments should be endorsed.

5. The Governor has also set out his most recent thoughts on the appointment of an independent Trade Unionist to the Legislative Council. To this it need only be added that the Governor has long maintained that the independent trades unions are so small, insignificant and con- fined mainly to the public sector, that a candidate drawn from their ranks would lack credibility in Hong Kong eyes. The view here is that an appointment from the independents is a political necessity; and that there is plenty of precedent in other dependent territories for the appointment of officers of public service unions to legislative bodies.

6. The question is whether the difficulties outlined by the Governor are paramount; and, if so, whether the other measures being taken to protect workers' interests (including the appointment of Mrs Bennett and Father McGovern, the proposed increase in the size of the Labour Advisory Board and the agreed programme of labour legislation in the Planning Paper) are sufficient to be a credible alternative to the appointment of an independent Trade Unionist to the Legislative Council this year.

The following points should be considered:-

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(a) the Governor's problem may be over-stated; difficulties in the appointment, in which case he can refuse to serve we will at least be able to explain here that the effort was made; conflicts of interest are an inherent risk for any Unofficial of whatever background; and the Governor has himself pointed out that the Commissioner for Labour and Father McGovern will be able to give assistance to to help him hold his own in the Legislative Council;

(b) the appointment of a Trade Unionist to the Legislative Council this year has assumed symbolic importance in the eyes of the Labour movement here. It is virtually certain that without such an appointment the plan of action in the Planning Paper itself would lack credibility and bring renewed pressure for more radical courses, at whatever expense to

Kong relationship:

• UK /