TNAG-0786-FCO40-990-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-labour-and-trade-union--1978 — Page 219

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Mr Murray

CONFIDENTIAL

PS/Lord Goronwy Roberts

HONG KONG : LABOUR CONDITIONS

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Mr Murray

(Minke overleaf) 15/8

HKK 212/5

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

16 AUG 1978

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51

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1. In his submission of 1 August Mr Quantrill drew attention to critical remarks about Hong Kong made by Mr Cryer, Under Secretary at the Department of Industry, in a House of Commons debate about the cutlery industry on 24 July. In a paragraph of his speech dealing with working conditions Mr Cryer said that people "in such countries as Korea and Hong Kong" were "grossly exploited".

2. Lord Goronwy Roberts wrote to Mr Cryer on 1 August pointing out that his remarks were not in accordance with the facts and

suggesting that he might issue a retraction. Mr Cryer has not yet replied to this letter.

3. On 10 August the Acting Governor reported that Mr Cryer's statement had been picked up by the local press and that a question had been put down for answer in the Legislative Council on 16 August. The text of this question is attached. Sir D Roberts hoped that a conciliatory form of words could be found to defuse what might otherwise become an emotional issue in

Hong Kong.

4.

A draft statement for issue by Mr Cryer was then prepared by Department of Industry officials in consultation with this department. Mr Cryer is on holiday in France, but his Private Secretary contacted him at the end of last week and explained the need for an early statement from him on the lines proposed by Lord Goronwy-Roberts. We are told that Mr Cryer refused to agree to any retraction being issued in his name; he is apparently still not convinced that his original remarks were inaccurate. We also understand that there will be no further opportunity to get in touch with Mr Cryer until his return to the UK on 17 August.

CONFIDENTIAL

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