HC Deb 17 July 1962 vol 663 cc219-20
13. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if there is a fair wages clause operating in the knitwear industries in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sandys

No, Sir. Fair wages clauses, of course, apply only to Government contracts.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the Minister aware that the prices of these commodities from Hong Kong are doing irreparable damage to the industry in Scotland, and that only last week an industry in my own constituency closed down, the main cause being due to the prices of these commodities from Hong Kong? Is there not something that could be done at least to protect our own domestic trade and the employment of our own people against the possibility of sweated labour conditions in Hong Kong?

Mr. Sandys

Of course, the level of wages in Hong Kong is different from the level of wages in the hon. Member's constituency, but, in regard to the knitwear industry, so far as I am able to ascertain, the level of wages in that industry is generally in line with the level of wages in other industries in Hong Kong.

Mr. S. Silverman

Is the right hon. Gentleman intending to convey to the House that wages and conditions of labour in Hong Kong are such as to afford fair rather than unfair competition with the same goods produced under Lancashire's wages and conditions? If not, will he bear in mind that the citizens of Her Majesty living in Lancashire ought to receive at least as much consideration from the Government as those who live in Hong Kong?

Mr. Sandys

On other occasions, the hon. Gentleman is very anxious to appear as the champion of the trading interests of the Commonwealth and Colonies. On this occasion, he takes a different line. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

Mr. Ellis Smith

Slave labour in Hong Kong.

Mr. Sandys

It is because of the difference in the wage rates and other conditions that we have asked Hong Kong, as well as India and Pakistan, to accept voluntary restrictions upon their exports of textiles, with a view to protecting the position of Lancashire.

Mr. Eden

Is it not clear that many of the working conditions of these factories in Hong Kong would stand up to comparison with working conditions obtaining in this country? Is it not also a fact that although the standard of wages may be low by comparison with industry in this country, the people working in Hong Kong are grateful for whatever they can get in this respect, because it means a very great deal to them?

Mr. Sandys

I do not propose to make any invidious comparisons.

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