§ COLONEL SYKESasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any Petitions or Memorials from the Chamber of Commerce at Hong Kong, from the Community, and from 1253 Chinese have been received at the Colonial Office, complaining of the policy of licensing Gambling Houses in Hong Kong, to the injury of trade and to the morals of the people and increase of crime; whether any and what Answers have been given to these Petitions or Memorials; and, whether Copies will be laid upon the Table if moved for?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENSir, the memorials in question have been received. The answer given has been to the effect that Sir Richard M'Donnell, the Governor, now on leave, had been instructed to take the whole subject into consideration immediately upon his return to the Colony, with the view of putting an end to the policy of licensing gambling houses. Correspondence has been promised which will include these memorials, and which is now in course of printing. I fear from its voluminous character, and the press of other business, it may not be ready for presentation to the House for several weeks to come, but it shall be given as soon as possible.