TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 49

CODE 18 - 77

RAR.

RESTRICTED

fan 8/9

Mr Thompson HKGD K 242

PROFESSOR TURNER'S REPORT

Reference.....

HKK 212/1

LA/HK/9

RECEIVED IN REJSTY RO. 51 - 8 SEP 1978

DESK O INDEX

PA

киш

#TRY

on Ten

3.5

1. Speaking on paragraph 359 of the General Council's report for 1978 (copy attached) at yesterday's international debate at the Brighton Trades Union Congress, Mr Harold Gibson, General President of the National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers, urged the TUC to press for early completion of Professor Turner's final report. He said the Professor's enquiries had gone on far too long. We were responsible for Hong Kong and the Foreign Secretary should insist that Turner completes his work and makes available his report for public information. Mr Gibson also commented that the introduction of some more democratic form of representation in a Colony for which we were directly responsible was an urgent necessity.

2. On behalf of the General Council, Mr Jack Jones as Chairman of the TUC's International Committee, said they had received no information for some considerable time about Professor Turner and the dates on which he was likely to complete his enquiries and his report. He thought the TUC General Secretary should write to the Foreign Secretary on the subject. Professor Turner was an "old friend" of many in the TUC and he thought a private approach to him might encourage the Professor "to increase his productivity",

3. I myself am uncertain as to when Professor Turner is likely to submit his final report. Have we any information? If so, I think I should pass it on to the TUC International Department's Secretary, Mr Hargreaves, as a possible way of pre-empting a TUC approach to the Foreign Secretary.

8 September 1978

RESTRICTED

HRG Hurst Overseas Labour Adviser