TNAG-0992-FCO40-1211-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 365

Mr Hurst, OLA

CONFIDENTIAL

HICK 430/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 19 AUG 1980

68

A

B & C

DECK OFFICER INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

HONG KONG: INDUSTRIAL ACTION AFFECTING DISPENSERS AND HEALTH HING DISPENSERS AND HEALTH INSPECTORS

19/8 NW 19

1.

Please refer to your minute of 31 July. I attach a draft reply to Mr Walsh.

2. Besides the TUC, Mr Tsin has written similar letters to the Secretary of State and to Mr Robert Parry MP. The latter put down 8 PQs for answer on 7 and 8 August, on the subject of Civil Service disputes. Although Mr Hurd's replies have yet to be printed in Hansard, they have been given to Mr Parry. The Minister's Written Answers should provide a suitable basis for your reply to Mr Walsh. I attach copies of these, together with the background note to Mr Clift's submission of 6 August.

3. You will note the Minister's caution in answering the question on the applicability of CSR611. The matter is still sub judice and we should not be drawn. However, for your own information, the Court did not rule out the Hong Kong Government's use of CSK611 but simply questioned its appropriateness given that sufficient authority for the action to suspend Government employees derived from common law and from powers delegated to the Secretary for the Civil Service through the Letters Patent.

15 August 1980

P Morrice

Hong Kong and General Department K247

233 4381

CONFIDENTIAL