§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the exploitation of child labour in Hong Kong, particularly the child slavery in the colony's tea houses; and what action he is proposing following the recent labour department survey.
§ Mr. LuardThere is no slavery in Hong Kong. Slavery is of course illegal in the Colony.
There was in August a special campaign against the unlawful employment in industry of children under 14. As a result prosecutions were mounted against the proprietors of 298 undertakings. Law enforcement measures will continue to be vigorously pursued.
The Hong Kong Government share our concern that there should be no exploitation of child labour. It is however difficult to devise and enforce measures of control outside industry, for example in family businesses and among those engaged in itinerant trading. I am aware of the tradition of employing young persons in Chinese tea houses to carry round trays of delicacies. There are regular twice-yearly surveys of employees in such establishments. This is a problem that is gradually diminishing with general changes in social habits.