§ 20. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further progress has been made in the provision of housing in Hong Kong; what is the approximate number of persons remaining in the squatter settlements; and to what extent immigration from beyond the border is continuing.
§ Mr. H. FraserDuring the year ended 30th September, schemes financed by the Government provided accommodation for about 65,000 people and there was an important addition from private enterprise; about 600,000 people remain in squatter areas; immigration appears to be at a considerably reduced rate.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that this seems to be a relative slowing up of the provision of housing, notwithstanding much good work that has been done, and can he say whether what, I assume to be the case is, in fact, correct?
§ Mr. FraserIf we take the decade between 1949 and 1959, the average provision was of accommodation for 40,000 people. For the next year or the next four years, it will be rising to nearly 100,000, and more and more attention will be given to private enterprise building.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIs my hon. Friend aware how impressed we have been after visiting Hong Kong with what the Hong Kong Government have done and are doing to absorb this enormous inflow of refugees, and what a strain it is putting on the Hong Kong economy?
§ Mr. FraserYes, Sir.