TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 106

Mr Murrey

207.

Parliamentary Unit

HONG KONG: PQ: MR ROBERT PARRY MP

1.

HKK 212/1

АКК

I. AVLS IN KAU

INDEX

No

-

2 FER WO

es

Since I submitted my proposed reply to Mr Parry's Oral Question for answer on 25 January on the investigations into labour relations in Hong Kong being carried out by Professor Turner, I have learned that there has been press coverage in the English language press in Hong Kong on this subject.

2. The Hong Kong Government have informed us that an article on 17 January refers to the interim report produced by Professor Turner at the end of 1976. The article claims to have obtained its information from "sources in London who have read the interim report". The article is factually correct, though it does not give a true picture of the tentative nature of the recommendations in the interim report. A subsequent article on 18 January in another English language newspaper stresses that the report was only an interim one. The Chinese press has largely ignored the subject.

3. Professor Turner's interim report was not a classified document. But nor has it officially been made public. It was given only a limited distribution to organizations with a direct interest. In addition to Professor Turner and his colleagues and the FCO, only the Hong Kong Government Office, the CBI and the TUC have received copies in this country.

4.

I submit two additional supplementary questions and answers.

Sleent

20 January 1978

Cc:

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts OLA

JAB Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept