CONFI DENTI AL
with the Director of Education, and it was decided that this was a subject on which Mrs Williams should be briefed for her visit to Hong Kong.
(a) Health
The ODM Medical Adviser had been visiting Hong Kong and his views were awaited on conditions. It was agreed that consideration should be given to the removal of the HK$3 per day hospitalization bill but that the HK$1 charge to visit a Government doctor could remain.
(e)
Industrial Health and Safety
The meeting heard that two International Labour Conventions dealing with workers' compensation had not yet been fully applied. It was agreed that Hong Kong should urgently strive to meet these requirements relating to the repair and maintenance of prostheses and to the scheduling of silicosis and asbestosis as occupational diseases.
(f) Home Ownership Scheme
It was reported that the current scheme involving 40,000 dwellings over a 2 year period seemed to be successful, and that consideration could be given later to extending the scheme.
ITEM 3: ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(a)
Composition of LegCo and ExCo
It was agreed that the social composition of UMELCO should be examined again and that the Governor should be asked to consider dropping Sir Sydney Gordon and
Mr Peter Williams in favour of people more in touch with everyday life. The university and polytechnic were suggested as sources of potential UMELCO members.
(b)
Economic Value of Hong Kong to the UK
The meeting noted that there was still disagreement on the value of Kai Tak to the UK. Resolution of this problem was necessary before considering the wider issue. The meeting agreed that this should be pursued.
(c)
UK Image in Hong Kong
The meeting noted that the UK image in Hong Kong had recovered somewhat from the bad publicity generated by the
3 CONFIDENTIAL
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