Mu
The Willing F16
16.0.
Reference
Does OLA hand
aunt X
Mr. Morzice
риий тос ствола
PRESS ITEMS: 6 - 13 ОCTOBER
CC: Mr Williamson Mr Clift
215/0
72
1. Summary: The main points were:
(a) continuing discussions of Hong Kong's future (para.2);
(b) mixed news about business confidence (para.3);
(c) visit by a Guangdong trade mission (para.4);
(d) ILO intervention in Civil Service labour dispute (para.5); (e) rabies precautions (para.6);
(f)
ICAC Commissioner's report (para.7);
(g) allegations of maltreatment of illegal immigrants (para.8); (h) interview with Sir L Kadoorie (para.9).
2.
Papers continued to speculate on the future of Hong Kong. Walter Easey wrote to 'South China Morning Post' on this. One paper suggested that HMG was not informing the Governor about its thinking.
3. A rise in Prime Lending Rate to 12% was accepted as necessary to counter monetary growth. The President of the Bank of America and the leader of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce Mission both expressed optimism about Hong Kong's economic future. However, a survey showed that high commercial rents had caused US firms to consider moving elsewhere.
4. A trade mission from Guangdong visited Hong Kong. At a seminar its leaders stressed Hong Kong's importance in Chinese external trade.
5. The Civil Service General Union announced that it would seek aid from the ILO and British TUC in its dispute with the Government.
6. Precautions taken against rabies were reported. Some papers criticised the Government for its delay in informing the public.
7. The ICAC Commissioner announced that more complaints were received about corruption in the private sector than ever before.
8. Papers published allegations about ill-treatment of illegal immigrants by members of the Small Boat Unit. The source was not named.
9. The SCMP carried an interview with Sir Lawrence Kadoorie about the Guangdong nuclear project.
15 October 1980
CODE 18.77
M.A. Searle
M A Searle
Hong Kong and General Department
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