HC Deb 17 May 1962 vol 659 cc146-7W
Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese immigrants have entered the Crown Colony of Hong Kong legally each year since 1st January, 1959; how many it is estimated have entered the Crown Colony illegally since the same date; and under what conditions immigration of Chinese from China into this Colony is still permitted.

Mr. Maudling

The following are figures for Chinese immigrants entering the Colony legally from the mainland of China:—

1959 35,000
1960 22,270
1961 29,000
Up to 30th April, 1962 10,000

Precise figures for illegal entry are not available but the number is roughly estimated at 20–30,000 a year during 1959–1961. Approximately 30,000 may have entered up to 5th May this year.

Chinese other than Cantonese are required to obtain Hong Kong entry permits, applications for which are considered individually on merit. In practice, permits are normally allowed to wives, children and aged parents of bona fide Hong Kong residents. Natives of Kwangtung Province, who hold exit and re-entry permits issued by the Chinese authorities, are admitted under a quota which now stands at 50 a day.

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