TNAG-0612-FCO40-760-Visits-of-Lord-Goronwy-Roberts--Minister-of-State-for-Foreig-1977 — Page 16

CONFIDENTIAL

THE TURNER STUDY OF LABOUR RELATIONS

BRIEF E

Background

1.

Professor Turner has now submitted an interim report on his study of labour relations in Hong Kong. Subject to the approval of Minister the next step would appear to be for copies of the Study to be sent to the International Committee of the TUC and to the CBI, in accordance with a written undertaking given by the Secretary of State to the Secretary General of the TUC on 24 May 1976. Thereafter, the report could be discussed at the meeting of the Overseas Labour Consultative Committee on 29 April.

It seems likely

that the TUC will favour an extension of the Study. The Governor of Hong Kong has said informally that he would favour an extension and Professor Turner is interested. In advance therefore of the

TUC and CBI's consideration of the Study, the Department will be investigating ways in which the extension of the Study might be funded. An approach is being made to the ODM and the Governor has already suggested informally that the Hong Kong Government might be prepared either to contribute 50% of the total ost or a lump sum of about £5,000-$6,000.

2.

There is a risk that there might be a selective leak of part of the Study (which, on the whole, is not unfavourable to the Hong Kong Government). In that event, it might be wise to publish the complete Study without delay.

3. The Department's submission of 16 February, copy attached,

discusses the matter in more detail.

Line to Take

4. I am very pleased that the Turner Study is on the whole favour- able to Hong Kong. The Secretary of State undertook to send copies of Professor Turner's Study to the TUC and the CBI and we shall be doing this. I think these two bodies must consider it before we can identify the next step forward. Meanwhile, we are looking into the question of financing an extension of the Study and I know that you have been in touch with the Department about this. If the present study or parts of it are beaked, I think it ought to be published without delay.

CONFIDENTIAL