§ 11. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that a number of mui-tsai in Hong Kong are retained by their owners beyond the age of 18 years and up to 29 years of age, he proposes to take any steps to secure the early release of these mature women held as mui-tsai?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE For the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)Under the law of Hong Kong no woman or girl of any age can be held as a mui-tsai against her will. I understand that the Hong Kong Government are at present giving consideration to the desirability, from the point of view of the mui-tsai, of fixing a maximum age limit at which a girl who is employed as a mui-tsai will automatically cease to be a mui-tsai.
§ Mr. LUNNAs we are supposed to have abolished mui-tsai in Hong Kong, will the Commission which is now sitting consider the matter of fixing a definite age at which children are to be regarded as mui-tsai?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI cannot accept the first premises of the hon. Member in its completeness, but I think it is fair to say that the greatest care has been exercised in Hong Kong, with great success. As regards the last supplementary question, I have already answered it.
§ Mr. LUNNDoes the answer mean that the Commission have definitely in their terms of reference the right to go into the matter of fixing a definite age?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThey have a right to go into every matter.