§ 52. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many inhabitants of Hong Kong have been refused permission to occupy rooftop dwellings under the latest legislation; and how many have been provided with alternative accommodation.
§ Mr. Profumo458 rooftop huts have been demolished. They would probably have held 1,800 people. For the reasons which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 19th December last, no alternative accommodation could be provided.
§ Mr. RankinCan the hon. Gentleman tell us how many people are now living on the rooftops of houses in Hong Kong, and when does he expect that he will be able to rehouse them on the ground?
§ Mr. ProfumoI really could not give any accurate information of that sort. If the hon. Gentleman wants to have an accurate figure, I will get in touch with the Governor, and will write to him, but I do not think it would be right to leave this matter without my saying that the Government of Hong Kong have really done a magnificent job with an extremely difficult problem.