§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common- 438W wealth Affairs what regulations governing the amount of overtime worked by young persons have been in force in Hong Kong and for how long they have been in force; what changes are proposed in those regulations; and by what date the Hong Kong Government expects to abolish overtime working by young persons.
§ Mr. LuardAmendments to the Hong Kong Factories and Industrial Undertakings Regulations made in 1958 and put into effect in 1959 prohibited overtime working by young persons aged 14 and 15. The same Regulations have been amended on a number of occasions to control overtime working by young persons aged 16 and 17. As from 1st January 1976 the maximum permissible hours of overtime for young persons in this age group was 200 hours a year, but on 22nd December last year the Legislative Council approved the Factories and Industrial (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1976 whereby the maximum permissible hours of overtime are to be progressively reduced by 50 hours a year, with effect from 1st January 1977. Overtime working by young persons in industrial employment will be completely abolished by 1st January 1980.