TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 202

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LABOUR DISPUTES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE

13. The publication last October of the second report of the

Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions

of Service led a few staff side organisations, representing

small, specialised groups within the public service, to take

industrial action. Most of these groups have now agreed to

submit their grievances for further consideration by the

Commission, and the great majority of the Hong Kong Civil

Service are now working normally.

IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA

14. This question was discussed by my honourable Friend

with the Governor on the 11th of January. When the Prime Minister

met the Chinese Premier on the 1st of November 1979, she told

him of our grave concern at the burden being placed on Hong Kong

by arrival of large numbers of immigrants from China.

Hua promised that appropirate measures would be taken.

Premier

There

are signs that these are now taking effect. We hope this trend

will continue.

ANGLO/HONG KONG RELATIONS

15. We fully accept our responsibility for defending Hong Kong's

international interests. We support the policies of the Hong

Kong Government in the internal administration of the territory.

We regard Hong Kong as a success story.

CHINA/HONG KONG RELATIONS

16. Relations with China over Hong Kong are excellent. We

welcome the increasing economic cooperation between Hong Kong

and China, and the assurances given by Chinese leaders to

investors in Hong Kong.