Lieut-Colonel J. WARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether naval and military authorities are considering, or have come to any decision, upon the proposal recently made by the Governors' Council of Hong Kong to remove the naval and military establishments from the centre of the town to a more suitable site; whether it is proposed to utilise a portion of Mirs Bay for this purpose; or have the Departments concerned any other point on the mainland in view?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYCertain proposals were made by the Governor arising out of a discussion in the Legislative Council with regard to the resumption by the Colonial Government of various areas occupied by the military authorities. These were referred to the War Office, and the General Officer Commanding was instructed to discuss the matter with the Governor and to submit his recommendations in due course. I have no information as to the progress of the discussion or the sites which it may be contemplated to allot to the military authorities in substitution for any which may be surrendered.
Lieut.-Colonel WARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his Department has received the promised report from the Governor of Hong Kong upon the pro- 1208W posed scheme for the reform of the constitution of the colony so as to secure a wider expression of British opinion upon such question as child slavery, better housing, and similar cognate subjects over which local British sentiment is at present powerless to exert its influence?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe Secretary of State has received and is at present considering a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the representation of the community in the Legislative Council.