HL Deb 15 July 1970 vol 311 cc595-8

2.57 p.m.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the condition of Hong Kong continues to be tranquil; what further progress has been made in providing accommodation for Chinese families; whether this more than keeps pace with the increase in population; and whether further constitutional improvements are contemplated.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARYOF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, the answer to the first part of the Question is, Yes. On the housing situation, since March, 1969, accommodation for approximately 98,000 people has been provided by Government and Government-aided agencies: and at the end of March, 1970, a total of nearly 1,700,000 people (more than one-third of the total population of the Colony) were housed in accommodation provided by Government and Government-aided agencies in resettlement estates and low-cost housing estates. The rate at which accommodation is being provided is keeping pace with the growth in the population.

As regards constitutional improvements, in the sphere of local government the functions and status of the Urban Council are under review and the Governor's recommendations are now awaited.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for that reply, may I ask him whether any considerable infiltration of Chinese over the border has been taking place in the last few months? Secondly, while thoroughly appreciating the remarkable effort on the part of the Hong Kong Government to provide accommodation, is it enough merely to say that it has kept pace with the growth in the population? Is it not really necessary to increase it? Finally, may I ask the noble Marquess whether he can say if, in the contemplated improvement or reform of the Government and the Constitution, a more democratic element will be then embodied?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, the noble Lord's first supplementary question I think had regard to infiltration over the border. As I think the noble Lord is aware, the immigration figure allowed officially is 50 persons a day. We know that there is a considerable illegal immigration from one source or another, but I am afraid I am not in a position to give the noble Lord precise figures. His third point, I think, was whether in any proposed constitutional reforms any element of a more democratic system will be introduced. I am afraid that at the moment I cannot hold out much prospect of any differences in the central Government of Hong Kong taking place. I was referring to the Urban Council. Here, of course, it is hoped that the powers and authority of this Council, particularly in financial matters, will be increased. I am afraid I cannot remember now the noble Lord's second supplementary question.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, it was with regard to increasing housing accommodation, rather than merely keeping pace with the increased population.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I entirely agree that this is the aim of the Hong Kong Government. They arc hoping that the increase in accommodation will gradually allow a decrease in the number of squatters. This has happened over the past few years—not, I am afraid, very impressively, but at any rate the number of so-called squatters is declining. This I think the noble Lord realises.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that the Government-sponsored Hong Kong Housing Authority now has five separate housing projects under development—one in Kwun Tong, one in Ho Man Tin and no fewer than three in Kwai Cluing? Since over one-third of the total population of Hong Kong have been housed through Government enterprise is not this an example that might well be followed by Her Majesty's Government here at home?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I am well aware of the situation described by the noble Lord in Hong Kong.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, can the noble Marquess say (I appreciate that this is not mentioned in the Question but it is very relevant to it), what advance has been made in the free education of the children of the majority Chinese population in Hong Kong?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I am afraid that that is a different question, of which I should require notice.