§ 22. Mr. Longdenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present refugee population in Hong Kong; and what arrangements have been made for their accommodation, education and health.
§ Mr. FisherAbout 1.1 million people have entered Hong Kong from China since 1949. It is not known how many of them were refugees. All share equally in the social services provided in the Colony.
§ Mr. LongdenAre not these very remarkable achievements on the part of the Government and people of Hong Kong, which deserve our warm congratulations?
§ Mr. FisherI am most grateful to my hon. Friend for his tribute to Hong Kong. It is rather remarkable that such a tiny and seriously overcrowded Colony should have absorbed such an enormous number of people.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn joining in the tribute to the Hong Kong Government, may I add that we should not be complacent about the matter? There is the refugee problem, and the condition of the people generally is pretty wretched in Hong Kong.