TNAG-0822-FCO40-1029-Policy-on-salaries-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 521

Mr Munray

PS/Lord Goronwy-Robert Phe

A

1.

typs

PalakkÆDDERLING,

AA- ་

HKK

439/

IN REGISTAT NO. 3 1 JAN:978

DESK OFFICES

INDEX

No

N&ID

PA

احكم

REGI

JAction T

HONG KONG : MP'S LETTER : MR ARTHUR LATHAM MP

Mr Arthur Latham MP (Labour

Paddington) has

written to the Secretary of State about the dispute between

the Hong Kong Government and the Shorthand and Audio Typists Association. In particular he asked what jurisdiction HMG has in this dispute.

2. As Lord Goronwy-Roberts made clear at my meeting with him on 24 January, constitutionally the Secretary of State can direct the Governor to take a particular

course of action. However, this power has not been used for some thirty years and it is unlikely that it would be invoked for this, relatively minor, affair.

In any case, we have always managed to avoid matters reaching

such a pitch and I am hopeful that we shall be able to

do so in this case.

3.

I submit a draft reply.

The OLA concurs.

26 January 1978

cc: OLA

fa. B. Beaut

JA B Stewart

Hong Kong and General Department

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