TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 66

Original at: HKK 2/2/2

This Copy for:

Information only Action on Para(s)

Flag A

Mr Murray

Parliamentary Unit

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG: PQ BY MR JAMES LAMOND MP

Akka12/1

INDEX

1973

ways!

29

Teten

еся

1. I submit a draft reply and background note to the non- priority Written Question put down by Mr James Lamond MP (Labour Oldham East) for reply on 13 April.

2. Mr Lamond has not previously taken any special interest in Hong Kong affairs, He represents a Lancashire cotton constituency, however, and its British textile workers who have in the past shown an interest in Professor Turner's report on labour relations in Hong Kong: they believe that it is the present inadequacies of the trade union system in Hong Kong that keeps wage rates down in the Colony, and thus makes its textile products unfairly competitive. Mr Lamond is probably reflecting this concern. His question follows a similar one by Mr Robert Parry (Labour Liverpool, Scotland Exchange) on

25 January.

3. Mr Stewart spoke to Professor Turner yesterday. He had earlier told us that he hoped to have his final report ready by about May. He is now promising it for "late summer", without giving any reason for this further delay. This is irritating but we are entirely in Professor Turner's hands and have no alternative but to accept.

4. We should, of course, still avoid making any commitments about publication until we have seen the report and know whether ita recommendations are practicable.

}

5.

The OLA and the Hong Kong Government concur.

13 April 1978

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

00:

OLA

CONFIDENTIAL

WE Quantrill

Hong Kong & General Dept