17. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, by treaty, convention, or other instrument, any express or implied obligation lies upon the Government of Hong Kong to respect the customs and customary law of the Chinese?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)By a Proclamation dated the 1st of February, 1841, the Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong were secured in the free exercise of their religious rites, ceremonies and social customs. I am not aware of any similar provision in any treaty or convention, and in fact the Treaty of Nanking, 1842, ceded Hong Kong to be governed by such laws and regulations as Her Majesty the Queen should see fit to direct.
Sir J. D. REESAs the British are barely between ½ and 1 per cent. of the population, is not the recent Proclamation of the Governor regarding the Little Sisters (mui tsai) an exceedingly spirited negation of self-determination?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that is a supplementary question which would be justified on its own showing.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman know what is the percentage of the British in Madras?
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1842 there was no Chinese population at Hong Kong?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI really do not see why I should be asked to engage in a Debate on this matter.