TNAG-0644-FCO40-792-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 80

NOTI. FOR THE FILE

FIDENTIAnd

NICK 026/578) : NICK 210/1

RE

RE

į

HONG KONG : MEETING WITH THE HONG KONG ATTORNEY-GENERAL

127

29 MAK 17/7

HKK 210/1

Fines for the Illegal Employment of Children

6. I told Mr Hobley of the interest that the Secretary of State is taking in Hong Kong's affairs and, at the present time, in the question of the fines imposed on employers who infringe the child labour laws. I showed him a copy of FCO telegram No 215 of 23 March to Hong Kong. Mr Hobley said that he was waiting for the Commissioner of Labour to bring a worthwhile case to his notice. He proposed then to arrange for Crown Counsel to make a strong submission to the Bench including the argument that the illegal employment of children was had for Hong Kong's trading image abroad. This should result in a heavy fine and in time should help to raise the level of fines for such offences.

25 March 1977

CONFIDENTIAL

DF Milton

Hong Kong Department