§ 31. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will institute a special inquiry into the social and industrial conditions of native workers in Hong Kong with a view to reliable information being secured concerning 1308 hours of labour, wages, and infant and adult mortality?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe Governor has recently decided to appoint a full time Labour Officer to the Secretariat for Chinese affairs. Amongst this officer's functions will be investigations into the cost of living, rates of wages, and the local industrial conditions to which the hon. Member refers. As regards infantile and adult mortality, reliable information of deaths is already recorded in Hong Kong. But information on mortality rates is admittedly unreliable, partly on account of an incomplete compliance with the law for the registration of births (which is being remedied by administrative action) and partly owing to the fact that a considerable section of the Chinese population have no fixed habitation in the Colony. In the circumstances, I do not think that a special inquiry would be helpful.
§ Mr. SorensenCan we anticipate a report from the Governor dealing with the matter which the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned; and, if so, will he give some idea of when the report will be available to Members and the public?
Mr. MacDonaldA Labour Officer will be appointed as soon as a suitable candidate is available. We are looking for one now. No doubt, in due course, that Labour Officer will present a report on these matters.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of when he anticipates a report; and seeing that in other parts of the Colonial Empire there is considerable distress and discontent would it not be well to expedite the report?
Mr. MacDonaldCertainly I am anxious to receive a report as soon as possible, but we must allow the new Labour Officer a considerable time to make his investigations after he has been appointed.