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2 DEIMHEJ 1976
Interesting history on the matter of the abuse of political honours Aylar as I um concerned, to judge from my corres spondence from both sides of the Hores, the conferment of honours is something. which gives a great deal of inocent pleasure and is felt to be a satisfying reward by many people who give a lot of voluntary service.
HONG KONG
Q2. Mr. Mike Thomas asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Hong Kong.
The Prime Minister : I have at piescut no plans to do so.
Mr. Thomas: Does my right hon. Friend agree that we still need to make progress in improving wages and labour conditions and in rooting out corrupt practices in both private and public organisations in Hong Kong? Will he take up the plans that he had as Foreign Secretary to visit the colony?! Does he still hold the view that Britam has serious responsibilities towards Hong
thng Kong. which we must do better at fulfilling, or does he agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Ilkeston (Mr. Fletcher) that the best course for Britain is for us to become a colony of Hong Kong?
The Prime Minister : I know my hon. Friend's interest in Hong Kong since his visit That was intended as a compliment, if I may say so, and I want to congratu» late him on the assiduity with which he follows up these matters Indeed, it may be quite serious, it as one of the advantages of hon. Members visiting such territories that there is a continuing in- terest that often lasts through the lifetimo of a Member's membership of this House.
On the social and labour conditions in Hong Kong, I am told that the target is to achieve a level of legislation in social, labour and allied helds at least broadly equivalent to the best in neighbouring countries within the next live years I am glad to inform the House that the Hong Kong Government intend to improve their legislation significantly this year i respect of live outstanding H.O conventions, and next year in respect of a further four con- ventions. I asked for the previous figures, and I am told that, in the previous three years, they had ratified only five conven-
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tions I think, therefore, that the interest that my how Friend is taking which I abar took when I was Foreign Secretary
is bearing fruit.
Meanwhile,
Sir Frederic Bennett : would the Prime Minister care to put into perspective the relative average standard of living in Hong Kong as compared with The whole of the rest of Asia, with the possible exception of Singapore?
The Prime Minister: 1 would if I were given notice of the question, but I do not carry all those figures in my hoad."
NEDC, CHI AND TỤC
Q4. Mr. Radice Asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to take the chair at the NEDC.
The Prime Minister: 1 refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave on my behalf to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 30th November,
Mr. Rudice : Does my right hon. Friend agree that in the very difficult economic decisions facing the Government the prob- lem is how to restore confidence in steri- ing and to ensure a steady reduction in the public sector borrowing requirement without at the same time deflating fur- ther an already deflated economy? Would he also accept, however, that, whatever The difficulties of the decision, it is vital for this country that the right balance be struck?
The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend has stated in a most pithy form the prob- lem that confronts not only the Govern ment but the country-how to ensure an he properly says, that there is confidence overseas among holders of sterling with- out, at the same time, the country being driven into a downward spiral. That 19 a problem engaging the attention not only of the Cabinet but of many others, and I hope that we shall come up with the right solution as between those two elements.
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : How does the Prime Minister equate his encouragement to industry to invest with the fact that he is about to load upon industry an additional £1,000 million of payroll tax
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