§ Mr. SITCHasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the Attorney-General of Hong Kong in the Legislative Council in October last that the evils resulting from the traffic in girls are so great that the present law is insufficient, and to the passing by the Council of a Bill in November giving fuller powers for dealing with it; and whether, in view of this acknowledged evil and the interest which this matter has aroused here, the recent Report of the governor of Hong Kong will be published?
597W
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir, I have seen the Report of the Attorney-General. The Bill in question has now become law and will, I hope, strengthen the hands of the Colonial Government in the protection of women and girls. As regards the latter part of the question, if the hon. Member is referring to the Governor's Report on child adoption I would refer him to the reply given on the 9th December to a question by the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. W. Smith).