TNAG-0648-FCO40-796-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1977 — Page 112

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FM HONG KONG 151052Z

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:

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TO ROUTINE F C O TELNO 302 OF 15 APRIL.

YOUR TELNO 277:

RECE

TUC/CBI PARTICIPATION IN THE TURNER STUDY

R

MY PRINCIPAL CONCERNS ARE

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13 APRD/7

(A) THAT THE STUDY SHOULD BE SATISFACTORILY AND CAREFULLY COMPLETED BY PROFESSOR TURNER, AND SHOULD RETAIN THE ACADEMIC AND INDEPENDENT STATUS HE PROVIDES:

(B) THAT THE LOW PROFILE PROFESSOR TURNER CAREFULLY PRESERVED DURING THE FIRST PART OF HIS STUDY SHOULD BE RETAINED AND PUBLICITY DURING IT HERE SHOULD BE AVOIDED:

•

(C) THAT NOTHING SHOULD OCCUR TO JEOPARDISE THE REMAINING AND VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS IN THIS YEARS PROGRAMME OF LABOUR LEGISLATION DUE TO PASS IN JUNE/JULY (PARTICULARLY SEVERANCE PAY AND ONE WEEK'S PAID HOLIDAY). THERE WILL BE A FIGHT OVER THEM AND ANYTHING THAT COULD BE USED TO GIVE SUBSTANCE TO ALLEGATIONS THAT WE ARE LEGISLATING UNDER UK TRADES UNION PRESSURE RATHER THAN IN HONG KONG'S INTERESTS WOULD BE DAMAGING.

2. PROPOSAL FOR PARTICIPATION BY TUC AND CBI REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEIR PRESENCE IN HONG KONG WOULD SET AT RISK ALL THREE ASPECTS.

3. WHEN THE PRINCIPLE OF THIS STUDY WAS AGREED AT MY MEETING WITH MR. CALLAGHAN ON 4TH DECEMBER 75 THE QUESTION OF TUC PARTICIPATION WAS RAISED AND OPPOSED BY ME ON GROUNDS THAT A SEMI-POLITICAL REPORT WOULD BE HARMFUL. MR. CALLAGHAN THEN SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT THE IDEA OF THE LOW PROFILE EXAMINATION OF THE FACTS. IF THIS STUDY REVEALED AREAS WHERE THE TUC MIGHT HELP THIS WOULD BE FOR LATER CONSIDERATION: I AM SURE THIS DECISION WAS RIGHT, 1.E. FIRST COMPLETE THE STUDY THEM CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF TUC IN-PUT. MR. CROSLAND'S LETTER TO MR, LEN MURRAY OF PA MAY 76 DID NOT DEROGATE FROM THIS DECISION, WHICH FORMED THE AGREED BASIS FOR THE STUDY. I TRUST IT WILL BE

MAINTAINED.

MACLEHOSE

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OLA. MRMURRAY

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