§ 40 and 41. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) why Hong Kong trade unions are not allowed to keep documents which arrive from outside Hong Kong;
(2) why the Hong Kong trade unions are being refused communication with trade unions on the Chinese mainland and abroad.
Mr. Creech JonesThe hon. Member is misinformed. There is no prohibition against a Hong Kong trade union retaining documents which arrive from outside the Colony unless these are orders or directions regarding the action of persons in Hong Kong issued by or on behalf of an organisation outside the Colony to which the Hong Kong trade union is not affiliated. Communication is prohibited only in respect of such documents.
§ Mr. GallacherI take it from that answer that I am not misinformed, and that documents coming to the Hong Kong trade unions from outside organisations or people are stopped and are not allowed to be delivered. Is that not creating a very bad situation and one that cannot possibly help the British residents in Hong Kong?
§ Mr. PiratinIs it not the case that the Hong Kong trade unions are associated with Chinese trade unions and with the World Federation of Trade Unions? If they receive correspondence from those organisations are they permitted to have it?
Mr. Creech JonesNo, Sir. I have given the conditions under which communications of this kind are received by the trade union movement in Hong Kong.