HC Deb 26 January 1960 vol 616 cc13-4W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what statistics he now has regarding the number of refugees of European origin remaining in Hong Kong; how many have been moved to new homes, and in what countries; and how many are to be so moved, and to what countries, during the remainder of the World Refugee Year.

Mr. Macleod

Hong Kong is a staging post for European refugees in transit from China. 13,343 such refugees have so far been moved through it to new homes in 54 countries. On 31st December, 1959, 478 were in transit in Hong Kong. Perhaps another 1,500 European refugees will be moved through Hong Kong during the remainder of the World Refugee Year, principally to Australia, Brazil and Chile.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about measures for the relief and rehabilitation of refugees in Hong Kong, of all races, in connection with the World Refugee Year.

Mr. Macleod

The money which the Hong Kong Government hopes to receive from the World Refugee Year Campaign will be devoted to as many as possible of the following special projects, costing £2½ million in all: community centres, schools, a tuberculosis infirmary, a children's orthopaedic home, a rehabilitation centre for the disabled and a central school library service. Other projects will be undertaken by voluntary organisations with funds which they have received direct.

Apart from these special activities, the Hong Kong Government is engaged on an increasingly heavy programme of improvements in housing, educational, medical and other social services for the whole population, including refugees. About one-third of their total public expenditure each year directly or indirectly benefits the refugees in Hong Kong.