§ 80. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there are any legislative limits to the ages at which girls in Hong Kong may be transferred for a money payment from one person to another for domestic and other services?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; the whole system is not recognised by the law of the Colony and is, therefore, not regulated by legislation.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think my hon. and gallant Friend is quite entitled to raise this question, and when an opportunity occurs I shall be very glad to ascertain what the general sense of the House is upon it. I am anxious that hon. Members should know what is the case for not violently overturning this custom which is universal throughout China.
Lieut.-Colonel WARDIt was stated to the House only yesterday that this practice has been condemned. As it has been under the consideration of the Colonial Office since 1880, I should imagine that we are not really hurrying the matter.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt may sound very objectionable in principle, but I believe that in practice it is not so prejudicial.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman not seen the accounts in the papers of the cruelty upon these children as the result of this practice?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI shall be very glad if my hon. and gallant Friend will send me any information which he has upon this question.