§ 41. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese in Hong Kong have been appointed to posts in the health department, which used to be staffed by Europeans; and how far other departments have followed a policy of appointing local residents to high-grade posts.
Mr. Creech JonesTwelve Chinese have been appointed to such posts, including the acting Deputy Director of Health Services. As regards the second part of the Question, all Departments are actively pursuing the policy of appointing duly qualified Chinese to high-grade posts.
§ Mr. DaviesIs my right hon. Friend aware that on this side of the House we welcome this policy of increasing the responsibility in the Colonies and handing over so-called European jobs, as in this case, to the Chinese? Will he press every other Department in the Colonial Office to follow the same lines as the Health Department seem to be following?
Mr. Creech JonesThat is the case in the Public Works Department for engineers, and in the Education Department, where this policy is now being carried out.