TNAG-0910-FCO40-1120-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 61

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SCR 1/4731/49

CONFIDENTIAL VISAS

Record of Meeting with NONA on 28 May at 3 p.m.

Present:

Dr D C Wilson Mr I C Orr

Construction Workers

gran span saas om menn quda

HKK 345/2

Mr Tan Gan Mr Li Ruohę

DESK OFFICER

no 725.6

*

225.6 D25

014/6

Mr. Wilkamer

Dr Wilson referred to an earlier conversation he

had had with Mr Tan on 23 March about Chinese plans to send several hundred construction workers to Hong Kong for training. He had then said that investigations we had made suggested that these workers would not receive any effective form of training in the project in question; indeed it seemed likely that they would be used as a form of cheap labour. While we were prepared to help China by providing training facilities for a limited number of people we did not wish to accept large numbers of workers. He had therefore suggested to Mr Tan that NCNA should talk to the Director of Public Works (DPW) who would advise them on the best methods of arranging training. He had since had a report from the DPW of his conversation with Mr Tan on 8 May. It seemed from this report that the Chinese were still thinking of importing large numbers of construction workers. Dr Wilson said he wished to make it absolutely clear that any such plan must be seen against the background of two important factors. The first was the overheating of the economy in general and the construction industry in particular. Because of this the import of construction workers was not desirable. Secondly, the immigration problem was still extremely serious and causing great concern both to the government and the people of Hong Kong. He had made both these points at the earlier meeting with Mr Tan. He wished to re-emphasise them. When the immigration problem had been brought under control we would be very willing to consider making arrangements for the training of a reasonably small number of people in the construction industry. Meanwhile Hong Kong could not accept the import of large numbers of construction workers.

2.

Dr Wilson then went on to say that this matter appeared to be connected with visa applications which had been made in Peking for 50 people to come and join a construction firm in Hong Kong called Wellform Construction Company. Given that we could not agree to the import of considerable numbers of construction workers, he thought it best that these visa applications should not be proceeded with.

NAG

18

35

/contd..

CONFIDENTIAL