TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 93

Mr Quartzill

노고

Mr Stewart

PROFESSOR TURNER

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference UK IL 212 / 1/18)

Stewart.

angeber/me speak

pse

We spoke. I attach a revised draft.

Jes

1. In a recent conversation with Mr Hurst, Professor Turner claimed that when the Governor dined at Churchill College during his recent visit, the subject of a visit by Professor Turner to China to discover Peking's attitude to the role of the Communist trade unions in Hong Kong was discussed. According to Professor Turner the Governor agreed that there would be value in such a visit.

2. In my view it must be extremely doubtful whether Peking would openly admit their control over trade unions let alone discuss their attitude to the subject. Nevertheless, I feel that we are obliged to check with the Governor, who has not mentioned the subject to us, whether he did agree and if so, why.

3. Should such a visit be agreed, funds would have to be found from government sources. Professor Turner has it in mind to take advantage of the recently introduced package tours to China operated by UK companies. He quoted a figure of £600-700 which, he claimed, is not far in excess of the price of HK$5,000 quoted by the Peking travel agency in Hong Kong. Even if he were to go on a package tour Professor Turner has said that he would expect the Embassy to provide introductions, and, going by past experience, presumably a number of other services.

4. Although Professor Turner spoke of the possibility of finding some funds himself he has "legitimate academic interests" in China in the field of income and wages policies, and I suspect these may be his main preoccupation) it seems clear that the main contribution would have to come from public funds. Since any visit would form part of the second round of studies, it would fall to the Hong Kong Government to pay for it.

5. I attach a draft letter to the Governor. I would not propose either clearing this with FED of copying it to Poking. until we have established how much truth there is in Professor Turner's claim.

Ift to issue.

HKK 212 pho RECEIVED IN REGDIRY NO. 5

SFFD 1978

DESK OFFIC INDZA

SY

aken

quen

CODE 18-77

SS 10/76

26 January 1978

JThompson

Hong Kong & General Department

"this stile come as a petty blatant toy on by Prof. Twoner. no doubt there could be some value in a visit to China, but I doubt if it is likely to make his report sufficiently more useful

CONFIDENTIAL

to