HC Deb 19 December 1961 vol 651 cc1114-5
9. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his proposals for constitutional reform in Hong Kong.

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir.

Mr. Rankin

Has the right hon. Gentleman received, as I hope he has, and has he read the suggestions and proposals which have been put forward by the United Nations Association of Hong Kong, which is under the patronage of Sir Robert Black, the Governor of the Colony? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that Hong Kong still operates largely under war-time regulations and is in effect a police State? Does he think that a good advertisement for Britain? Would he not like to use his new broom to sweep away these regulations and give these people greater control over their own internal affairs?

Mr. Maudling

I cannot recall the representations to which the hon. Member refers, but I will look them up. Generally speaking, I should have thought that the constitutional position of Hong Kong was fairly satisfactory and that the Colony on the whole was making considerable progress.

Mr. Dance

Would my right hon. Friend agree that we have an excellent administration at present in Hong Kong and that, with all the refugees coming over, those concerned are doing wonderful work under great difficulties in putting people into new homes and houses? Cannot we send them a message saying, "Thank you for what you are doing?"

Mr. Maudling

I entirely agree.

Mr. Rankin

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that those of us who have seen something of what is going on in Hong Kong disagree violently with what the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Mr. Dance) has just said? Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that a great many people in Hong Kong support the view that we take that the time has now arrived when this mild demand for a measure of internal control over their own affairs which is growing in Hong Kong should be met? Will the right hon. Gentleman do one little thing and consider this more than he has done?

Mr. Maudling

I accept that there are differences in this House but, on the whole, I am inclined to accept the view of my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Mr. Dance).

Mr. Rhodes

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is thought in some parts of the country that there is far too good a Government in Hong Kong for our own peace of mind in the industries in the North?