HC Deb 08 February 1990 vol 166 cc715-6W
Mr. Stanbrook

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Hong Kong Government have made provision for war service to be included in the calculation of pensions for their expatriate staff.

Mr. Maude

The Hong Kong Government are still considering whether to include war service in the calculation of pensions for expatriate staff. At the turn of the year they sought, and were given, further information about the British Government's war service credit scheme for colonial pensioners. I will inform my hon. Friend when a decision has been made.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to improve the living and sanitation conditions at detention camps for Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong.

Mr. Maude

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 12 January, c.791–92.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of Vietnamese boat people who have tried to commit suicide in detainment camps in Hong Kong in 1990.

Mr. Maude

Since 1 January 1990, seven people have inflicted injuries upon themselves in Hong Kong's detention centres. None of the injuries has been serious.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to give assistance to improve the environmental health conditions and housing in the Kwun Tong public housing area in Hong Kong.

Mr. Maude

As part of a comprehensive redevelopment programme to renew the urban environment, over 58,000 old public housing flats will be demolished, and about 55,000 new flats will be constructed between 1990 and 2001 in the Kwun Tong area, partly to provide replacement accommodation and partly to provide new housing for those in need. Planned environmental health improvements include the closure of a local refuse dump, restrictions on the sulphur content of industrial fuel oil, and the introduction of vehicle emission controls.