HC Deb 03 March 1952 vol 497 cc31-4
Mr. John Dugdale (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the recent disturbance in Hong Kong.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Oliver Lyttelton)

Yes, Sir. I welcome the opportunity to make a statement on the disturbance in Hong Kong last Saturday, since some of the published reports were exaggerated.

In November last year a fire broke out in Tung Tao village, an area just east of Kowloon, and some 10,000 persons were made homeless. The Hong Kong Government took immediate steps to resettle the homeless. A few weeks ago a group of people from Canton, styling themselves the Comfort Mission, proposed to visit the Colony and distribute aid to the "Tung Tao Village Fire Victims." These persons made unofficial approaches to ascertain whether they could enter Hong Kong and were told that permission would not be given for the Mission as such to enter the Colony.

On 27th February, inquiries were made whether representatives of the donors of money collected in Canton, as distinct from a Comfort Mission, would be allowed entry the next day. These inquiries were answered to the effect that if written application were made and a programme submitted, consideration would be given to the request, but that any visit could not take place before 9th March. This was the position on the night of Friday, 29th February.

On the morning of Saturday the Hong Kong Government learnt that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce had heard by telephone from Canton that the proposed visit of the Comfort Mission was postponed. It is understood that this information was passed to the Federation of Trades Unions, but it seems that the rank and file of these Unions continued in ignorance of the true position. A large crowd assembled at Kowloon railway station to greet the 3 p.m. train on which they had been led to expect that the Mission would arrive.

In the meantime, a welcome party had set out for the border, but as they did not possess passes for the frontier zone they were held on its perimeter, and one of the party went on to the border to meet the Mission, which had spent the night at Shum Chun, just across the frontier. Later he returned with his party to Kowloon and announced to those assembled that the Mission had been postponed.

The crowds proceeded to disperse. However, a false rumour started that the Mission had actually arrived and was being detained in the border area and a group or groups in the crowd who had come prepared to cause trouble thereupon proceeded to do so. A police vehicle and two private cars were overturned and a police station was stoned. The police used tear gas and a Chinese police lance-corporal, finding himself about to be overrun by the mob, fired one round from a shotgun, slightly wounding three Chinese males, who were detained in hospital overnight.

No lives have been lost and about 12 persons have been treated for minor injuries. Normal conditions were restored by about 5.45 p.m. on Saturday, but a Government spokesman advised people, in their own interests, to stay at home as far as possible on Saturday night. A number of arrests were made. The situation is quiet.

Mr. Dugdale

In the first place, may I associate Members on this side of the House with any tribute which may be paid to the heroism and the success of the conduct of our troops and police in what must have been a very difficult situation indeed? Second, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, to reassure the people in Hong Kong, he will inform the House what steps have been taken to provide adequate comfort and relief for those people who suffered from the fire in November'?

Mr. Lyttelton

First of all, let me make it quite clear that no troops were used, only police. I do, of course, agree that the police handled the matter with great efficiency. I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to put down a Question about the exact state of the housing projects—I saw some of them myself—to house the homeless.

Mr. Geoffrey Bing

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that a body of people had collected a sum of money for the relief of the suggested destitution there, and would not it be a good thing that we should say one word of thanks if they have so done?

Mr. Lyttelton

The Governor quite rightly said that he would be prepared to consider receiving a representative of the donors if they would kindly submit a scheme. They have not done so.

Mr. John Paton

Did not the trouble really arise because of the assembly of a crowd of people which afterwards became disorderly, and is not it strange that in the official communiqué the curious phrase, "It is understood that the postponement of the visit of the delegation at Hong Kong was conveyed to the Federation of Trade Unions," is used? Cannot the Hong Kong Government say definitely whether that information was conveyed or not?

Mr. Lyttelton

The matter is necessarily in the disposition of the Hong Kong Government. They understand, and so do I, that that information was conveyed.

Mr. Paton

Cannot it be said whether it was or not?

Mr. Dugdale

Will the Minister say quite definitely what has been done to meet the difficulties of these people, because it would be of great assistance to everyone in Hong Kong to know what steps have been taken by the Government?

Mr. Lyttelton

If the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the housing of the 10,000 persons, he must be aware that that housing scheme is in being and is now in an advanced stage. I think he wants to know exactly what stage it has now reached and, if so, I shall be glad to look into the point.