24. . VIANTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with a view to effecting a settlement of the anti-British strike and boycott against Hong Kong; and whether he will stale the number of Chinese workers who left the colony on strike, and the amount claimed on their behalf in respect of strike pay and compensation for non-reinstatement?
§ Mr. AMERYInformal conversations between representatives of the Hong Kong and Canton Governments have recently taken place, and it is hoped that negotiations will shortly be resumed. I have no precise information as to the number of Chinese workmen who left the Colony on strike, but the strike at Hong Kong has for some months been for all 831 intents and purposes a thing of the past and the Governor stated in February that almost the whole body of Hong Kong labourers was again at work. With regard to the third part of the question, I am not aware that any definite figure has been claimed.
§ Mr. LOOKERIs it not a fact that the strikers' committee have reaped an enormous financial harvest by the illegal exactions which they have extorted from the cargoes of all nationalities except the. British allowed to land in Canton, and will the right hon. Gentleman support the Hong Kong Government in its refusal to recognise claims of an exorbitant and wholly unjustifiable nature?
§ Mr. AMERYNo, I certainly would not encourage the. Hong Kong Government to recognise any exorbitant or unjustifiable claims.