HC Deb 13 June 1979 vol 968 cc418-20
6. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Lord Privy Seal what were the results of the visit of the governor of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement on the current extent of co-operation between the Governments of China and Hong Kong.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Peter Blaker)

The visit provided an opportunity for the governor to establish personal contact with Chinese leaders and discuss with them matters of mutual interest, including tourism, industrial co-operation, investment, communications and immigration. Co-operation between the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese authorities is good.

Mr. Miller

I welcome the good co-operation. May I ask the Minister whether the discussions on immigration made it plain that the present flow of refugees, now totalling 100,000 detected so far this year—which threatens to inundate Hong Kong—cannot be allowed to continue? Therefore, will the Government make it plain to the Peking Government that we look to them for strong action on this front? Will we back it up by reinforcing the troops in Hong Kong? [Laughter.]

Mr. Blaker

The Governor took the opportunity to explain to the Chinese authorities the serious problems created for Hong Kong by the continuing high rate of both legal and illegal immigration into Hong Kong from China. The Chinese admitted that the measures taken up to that time had not been effective, and they undertook to do more. Since that time, my right hon. and noble Friend and I have had conversations with the Chinese ambassador in London, and representations have been made in Peking, pointing out to the Chinese Government the serious situation that is being created for Hong Kong. I am glad to say that the figures on legal immigration have shown something of a drop. We should like to see a further drop. The figures on illegal immigration remain very serious.

The strength of the garrison is kept under constant review. A decision about whether any change is necessary in the present circumstances will be taken after Ministers have had an opportunity to discuss the current situation in Hong Kong with the governor during his visit this week.

Mr. Flannery

During the discussions with the Chinese Government, was the anachronism of the colony of Hong Kong discussed? Does the fact still remain that in 1999 Hong Kong will go back to China as of right?

Mr. Blaker

I certainly do not regard Hong Kong as an anachronism. It is a success story. But, since the visit of the governor was not for the purposes of negotiation, it would not have been appropriate for the long-term future of Hong Kong to be discussed. I can also tell the hon. Gentleman that the Chinese leaders took the opportunity of the governor's visit to emphasise to him the importance to them of maintaining confidence and investment in Hong Kong, and they particularly asked that Hong Kong investors should be reassured about the future.

Sir Paul Bryan

Is my hon. Friend aware that both the last Opposition question and the laughter from Labour Members with regard to the reinforcement of the garrison shows great ignorance of the situation in Hong Kong? Is he aware that the main duty of the Army in Hong Kong is now the policing of the border, that one of the reasons for this great flood of immigrants is the impossibility sufficiently to police that border, and that it may well be necessary to deploy more troops there?

Mr. Blaker

It is a fact that some Labour Members have shown that they do not sufficiently understand either Hong Kong or its problems. I am glad to say that there are some Labour Members who do. As for the rest of my hon. Friend's question, as I have said, these matters will be discussed with the governor this week.

Mr. Robert Hughes

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I apologise for raising this point of order now. The accoustics are particularly bad today, and when Ministers turn their heads to speak to their own Back Benchers they are totally inaudible to us. We should like to hear their answers.

Mr. Speaker

My microphone is working perfectly. However, if those who are responsible can hear, I hope that they will attend to the matter, and that Ministers, like everyone else, will speak up.

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