§ 4. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are now being taken by the Hong Kong Government to organise the sending of food 12 parcels to the famine areas of China; and what were the number of food parcels exported from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland in 1959, 1960, and the first three months of 1961.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe answer to the first part of the Question is none. The answer to the second part is about 870,000, 3,700,000, and 2,600,000.
§ Mr. TeelingIs not that clear proof that there is a very serious famine condition on the mainland in China which is very much kept out of the newspapers over here? Most people know about it in Hong Kong and are hoping that there will be some guidance from the Government here to make the Hong Kong Government make it easier for these parcels to be sent into China.
§ Mr. FraserThere are arrangements for food packages to go there, and we are in negotiation with the Chinese authorities about the postal service.