HC Deb 30 January 1953 vol 510 cc157-9W
Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the Government is contributing to the solution of the problems raised by the presence of thousands of people of European origin who are destitute in Shanghai; and in what ways and to what extent the Chinese People's Government received by the processing and distributing trades prior to sale to the consumer; and the amount paid in subsidy by the Government.

Dr. Hill

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th January, 1953 , Vol. 510, c. 23], supplied the following information:

is co-operating, according to information in his possession.

Mr. Nutting

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is trying to deal with these problems by supporting in Shanghai those who are completely destitute and, together with the Inter-Governmental Committee on European Migration, by arranging resettlement outside China.

Her Majesty's Government contributed £100,000 in response to the High Commissioner's recent appeal for funds. The High Commissioner decided to devote this sum to the care and maintenance of the refugees in Shanghai. The Government of Hong Kong co-operate closely with the High Commissioners' representative over the arrangements for resettlement. About 80 refugees a month have been passing through the Colony.

I am informed that the Chinese People's Government do not take part in these arrangements beyond granting exit permits to those refugees for whom visas have been obtained.