TNAG-0644-FCO40-792-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 28

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will be achieved by 1980/81, but it will not in itself be enough. At present, while children are barred from industrial employment up to the age of 14, they can be employed outside industry. The employment of children in industry is perhaps the worst aspect of child labour in Hong Kong because of the danger of accidents, but the number of children employed in industry is small compared to the total number of children in employment, the majority being in service trades or in their homes helping their parents with "out work". Dr S Y Chung, the Senior Unofficial Member of LegCo, raised this Flag G point during the debate in the Legislative Council on 4 May on the

raising of the maximum fine. If the employment of children is to be completely abolished it will not be sufficient to make secondary education places available. The places will have to be free and attendance will have to be compulsory. The Governor may well have this in mind for he says, at the end of his letter, that once there are sufficient secondary education places he will consider options for further action. On the face of it there is no reason why action should not proceed on this aspect at the same time as the provision of secondary education places is increased. Thus, it might be possible for compulsory education to be introduced in three stages commensurate with the increasing provision of school places, so that by 1980/81 all children up to the age of 15 will be required by law

to attend school.

7. I recommend that the outstanding issues should be pursued with the Governor and submit a draft letter for Lord Goronwy-Roberts' signature. The OLA and the department's legal adviser concur.

15 June 1977

Cc:

PS/Lr Luard Mr Cortazzi

OLA

вадже

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8.0.ß. Sleut

JA B Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept

slightly amended.

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