HC Deb 27 June 1967 vol 749 cc240-5
13. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the situation in Hong Kong.

27. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement about industrial unrest and strikes in Hong Kong following last month's disturbances in the Colony.

Mrs. Hart

There have been continuing efforts to introduce widespread strike action in Hong Kong, mainly in transport and public utilities, but, I am glad to say, with only limited success.

The Communist propaganda campaign has continued.

On 24th June there was an incident at a village on the Chinese border which involved about 700 people who were eventually dispersed by the police with the use of tear gas.

The Governor of Hong Kong arrived in London yesterday and the Secretary of State and I are having discussions with him.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

May I express on behalf of the House its admiration for the Governor and all the authorities in Hong Kong who have been handling this difficult situation so admirably? Has the hon. Lady any information to the effect that the Bank of China is apparently the centre for supplying arms, and for broadcasting and telecommunications? Is not this wholly illegal in a place like Hong Kong?

Mrs. Hart

I know that the whole House will agree with the hon. Member in his remarks about the way in which the Governor has handled matters over the past month in Hong Kong. We are highly appreciative of all his efforts. As for the hon. Member's second point, the Bank of China has been the centre for a good deal of the organisation of local Communist activity in Hong Kong. We have been well aware of this for some time, and the Governor has been dealing with the matter appropriately.

Mr. Fisher

Will the hon. Lady convey personally to the Governor, now that he is here, our personal congratulations and good wishes? Can the hon. Lady say whether the volume of trade in Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the disturbances last month, and also state whether the essential services and the normal lives of the people are carrying on as usual in Hong Kong now?

Mrs. Hart

In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, there was some uncertainty on the trading side at the time of the disturbances. I have no figures to suggest that there has been any actual decline in trade, and many efforts are being made to restore the degree of business confidence there was before. In answer to the second part of the supplementary question, efforts have been made by local Communists to induce strike action in a way which would affect various of these services. There have been temporary interruptions in some, but up till now none has been seriously interrupted.

Mr. Rankin

Will my hon. Friend pay regard not merely to what she calls Communist activities but also to the low level of wages in Hong Kong, the poor standards of living, and the general low consumption level in this part of the British Commonwealth?

Mrs. Hart

I think we are all aware that in dealing with any situation of this kind in this part of Asia factors of this kind will be involved. But it is important to distinguish between the general background and the specific efforts made by a number of people to create disturbances in Hong Kong.

20. Mr. Luard

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving the youth services in Hong Kong.

Mrs. Hart

As well as the expansion of existing services, new youth camps, youth centres, special facilities for young people at community centres and in welfare buildings on resettlement estates, and a training centre for youth leaders, have recently been provided or will be completed shortly. But I will, with permission, publish fuller particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Luard

Would my hon. Friend agree that there is considerable evidence that both in the "Star Ferry" riots last year and in certain phases of the disturbances this year, an important factor was the very large number of young people in the Colony with too little to do and with nowhere to go except the streets? Does she not accept that this is very strong evidence that there is need for much better youth services in the Colony?

Mrs. Hart

My hon. Friend will see when he reads the fuller particulars published in the OFFICIAL REPORT how much is going on in this direction; for example, tomorrow, in the new territories, a new youth centre and camp to serve several thousand young people is being opened, and this is the first part of a tremendous effort that is being made in this matter.

Following are the particulars:

Government departments and voluntary agencies in Hong Kong are aware of the problems of youth and increasing effort is being made to guide leisure activities into constructive channels. Existing facilities are being expanded with an emphasis on outlets for young people, aged 14 to 21 years, and long term planning will result from survey into urban family life now being conducted. Some 120,000 young people are in regular contact with agencies offering facilities in forms of youth centres, award schemes, wide range of outdoor activities and libraries.

2. In last 10 years number of children's playgrounds increased from 9 to 124; parks and gardens from 16 to 244: number of mini-football pitches, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts from 43 to 232. 37 public bathing beaches have been developed. Series of swimming complexes each accommodating 5,000 people at a time are being planned in addition to two existing public swimming pools.

3. Two new large urban community centres under planning will have facilities for youth groups as well as libraries. Two additional social centres and youth centres will be opened between 1968–1970. Welfare buildings in resettlement estates planned at a rate of one building for 50,000 tenants have similar facilities. Large youth camp on Lantau Island and youth centre on Hong Kong just opened; two other camps and a youth centre will be opened before 1968. Combined youth centre and camp house in New Territories serving several thousands of young people every year will be opened on 28th June.

4. 1967 summer projects involve 30,500 children and youths in variety of activities, such as work camps, children's camps, expeditions, clubs, etc. Army recently offered 2,000 boys a week of adventure and training.

5. Government subventions to voluntary agencies working with youths now runs at £238,000 p.a. and being increased by £38,000 in present financial year. A centre for training to be completed next year will help solve problem of obtaining and training leaders.

6. A survey into urban family life is now being conducted and it is expected that this will give useful information for the long term planning of youth services.

21 and 22. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he is aware that many textile operatives in Hong Kong are working 359 days each year; that women and young persons in the Hong Kong garment industry work a 10-hour day plus overtime, longer than in any other Asian countries; and what progress has now been made with the introduction of legislation to reduce these excessive hours;

(2) if he will call for a report from the Governor of Hong Kong about the communication sent to him by Mr. John Greenhalgh, General Secretary of the International Textile and Garment Workers' Federation on 23rd May; and if he will include in his proposed labour legislation a universal rest day and a 48-hour week for women and young persons in all industries.

38. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement on his plans for introducing labour legislation for workers in the textile industry in Hong Kong in the near future.

Mrs. Hart

I am discussing this week with the Governor legislation providing for a phased reduction in the hours of work over a specific period, to 48 a week for all women and young persons employed in industry with adjustments to permissible overtime. The answer to the first part of Question No. 21 is, with some qualifications, yes, Sir; and to the first part of Question No. 22, no, Sir.

Mr. Allaun

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that the hours will be reduced from ten to eight a day in all industries, including the garment and other industries at present quite ridiculously excluded? Is she aware that, after five weeks, the Governor, despite his other commitments, has not even acknowledged the letter from the General Secretary of the Federation?

Mrs. Hart

I would ask my hon. Friend, to read again carefully what I have just said. I was talking about legislation to provide for a reduction in the hours of work to 48 a week covering all industries employing women and young persons. The letter sent by Mr. Greenhalgh to the Governor did not raise any matters of which the Governor and I were not fully aware.

Mr. Johnson

Will the Minister accept that working conditions for women and juveniles in this British Colony are worse than those in the Philippines, Indonesia, Korea and Formosa? Will she confirm that the Governor is here not only to talk about Communist disturbances in the Colony but about labour legislation for these women and young persons?

Mrs. Hart

May I say to my hon. Friends that I completely take their point, and what I have announced just now is that legislation is now being discussed with the Governor which covers a great many of the points raised. My hon. Friends are right, of course, to be concerned, but things are being done.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

Would it not be an exaggeration to say that working conditions in Hong Kong are worse than those in Formosa or South Korea? Are they not, in fact, much better?

Mrs. Hart

In some respects one can make some favourable comparisons with other countries in the area, but in other respects one cannot do so.