§ 15. Sir R. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Hong Kong proposes to ask for financial help from the United Nations in connection with Chinese refugees in Hong Kong, as suggested in the Report of a Mission appointed by the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe Report is to be discussed by the High Commissioner's Executive Committee which is meeting on 10th May and it would, therefore, be premature for me to comment on it now.
§ Sir R. RobinsonOn the other hand, will the Government suggest to the United Nations that this vast financial expense should fairly be shared among the free nations of the world and not just parked on the shoulders of the people of Hong Kong?
§ Mr. HopkinsonWe do not know that Dr. Ambro's recommendations will be adopted, but the United Kingdom is represented on the Committee, and I do not think that it would be proper for me to say any more now.
§ Mr. PeytonCan my right hon. Friend state the number of refugees in Hong Kong and whether that number is still increasing?
§ Mr. HopkinsonThere are 385,000 refugees and with their dependants they amount to 670,000. There is, of course, a steady trickle, or perhaps more, of refugees across the border.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister aware that this Question bears out what I have sought to prove in the House time and again by Questions, that Hong Kong is in a very serious condition indeed, not merely due to the presence of refugees, but due to the fact that our trade with the mainland is being restricted?