§ Ms. Colquhounasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ban the use of tear gas by the police in Hong Kong to evict villagers from their homes, as happened recently to villagers from Choi Yuen Chuen, near Sheung Shui; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuardIt is the policy of the Hong Kong Police only to use tear gas against people threatening violence where it represents the minimum force necessary to avert a breach of the peace which could result in serious injury. My right hon. Friend has received a full report on the incident from the Governor of Hong Kong and I shall write to my hon. Friend explaining the circumstances in detail.