§ 9. Captain CUNNINGHAM - REIDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of mui-tsai registered in the Straits Settlements on the last convenient date; whether the number during the last 20 years has increased proportionately to the increase of the Chinese population in this colony; and whether there is any substantial difference in the regulations governing the treatment of mui-tsai in the Straits Settlements and in Hong Kong?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The number of mui-tsai registered in the Straits Settlements on the 30th of September last was 1,479. No record exists of the number at any date before the system of registration was introduced last year. As regards the last part of the question, the regulations governing the treatment of mui-tsai in the Straits Settlements are based on those of Hong Kong.