TNAG-0658-FCO40-807-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-1977 — Page 240

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* DENÍK 1976

interesting history on the matter of the abuse of political honours

Ay lat as I am concerned, to judge hom my comes spondence from both sides of the House, the conferment of honours is something! which gives a great deal at pleasure and is felt to be a salishang 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: 1 have at present 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 Kong, which we must do better at fulfilling, or does he agree with my hon. I mend the Member for Ilkeston (Mr. Fletcher) that (the best course for Britum is for us to become a colony of Hong Kong?

The Prime Minister: 1 know my hon. Friend's interest in Hong Kong since his Visit That was intended as a compliment.

I may say so, and I want to compratu- kite him on the assiduity with which he follows up these matters. Indeed, it 1 may be quite serious, it is one of the advantages of hon. Members visiting such territories that there is a continuing i terest that often lasts through the lifetime of a Member's memberslap of this House.

On the social and Labout conditious th Hong Kong, I am told that the target is to achieve a level of legislation in social, labour and allied helds at least broadly qquivalent to the best in neighbouring Countries within the next live years. I .........a glad to inform the House that the Hong Kong Government intend to improve thieu legislation sigmhcantly this year in respect of live outstanding. I O conventions, and next year in respect of a further four con Mentions I asked for the previous lipusa N, and I am told that, in the previous tare years, they had ratified only five conven-

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Qral Akawers

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I think, therefore, that the interest that any hon. Þriend is taking which I Falso took when I was Foreign Secretary

is beating fruit,

Sir brederic Bemmell: Meanwhile, 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: I would if I were given notice of the question, but I do not carry all those figures in my head.

NEDC, CBI AND TUC

04. Mr. Radice asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to take the chair at the NEDC.

The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council pave on my behalf to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 30th November.

Mr. Radice : 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 hơn. Friend bas stated in a most pithy form the prob- lem that confronts not only the Govern- ment but the country--how to ensure as 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 is 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 Wintertou : How does the Prime Minister equate his encouragement to judustry to rivest with the fact that he is about to load upon industry an additional 21,000 million of payroll tax

and when the stands at a record

The Prime Min man is giving only liquidity and taxa, try. As I pointed; and perhaps, be to the Queen's Sp [HON. MEMBERSI House. I paused I pointed out tha in which the Gi assisted liquidity tion to the comp. desire to contin clearly a great i the present year. be paying mam But that does no can be totally c know that the ho that.

Mr. AtkinsON Friend agree the ahead for our situation in the reduction in the is the case, wou give the House ever he is now c tors overseas, prevent the steac ing week so tha creation of the Our industry?

The Prime N unemployment i the recession IP not yet been oy policies of tryin exports and restraming con agree with my though not CV there is a growi affects not only of the Western the

position, a that we are not support becaus in our paymen time when we kind of measin suggesting, and that they need

Mrs. Thatch question asker Member for

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