HC Deb 08 June 1976 vol 912 cc658-9W
Mr. Dan Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the Industrial Training Ordinances for the clothing industry and the construction industry in Hong Kong; and to what extent such ordinances will be extended to other industries.

Mr. Rowlands

The industrial training ordinances established training authorities for the construction and clothing industries. These authorities are responsible for establishing and maintaining industrial training centres and for assisting in the placement of those completing training courses. There are no immediate plans to legislate for similar statutory bodies for other industries but the Hong Kong Training Council keeps the matter under review. Ten non-statutory industrial training boards operate under the aegis of the council, and other industries wishing to introduce training schemes financed by a levy will be encouraged to do so.

Mr. Dan Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the impact of the Labour Relations Ordinance in Hong Kong.

Mr. Rowlands

The Labour Relations Ordinance is working effectively. By the end of May 1976 the Hong Kong Government's Labour Department had successfully dealt with 84 disputes on the basis of this ordinance.

Mr. Dan Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the conciliation services provided by the Commissioner for Labour in Hong Kong.

Mr. Rowlands

During the first five months of this year, the Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department dealt with 43 trade disputes and 2,613 claims arising from the Employment Ordinance or contracts of employment. The figures for the corresponding period in 1975 were 66 and 3,051 respectively. The conciliation services have successfully resolved all trade disputes and some 60 per cent. of claims.