§ 75. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied that supplies of food and water for Hong Kong are, and will be, adequate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. HartYes. There is a satisfactory stock of rice in Hong Kong and the bulk of supplies of this staple food come from sources other than China. Though the majority of supplies of a number of other essential foodstuffs such as pigs, eggs, etc., come from China, local supplies and other overseas sources also contribute to meeting local demand. The temporary stoppage of food supplies from China at the end of June caused some disruption but since then supplies from China have been more or less normal. If further stoppages of supplies occur it will be necessary to turn to other sources. Measures to bring forward alternative supplies are under examination.
In regard to water there has still been no reply to the request to the Chinese 93W for additional supplies and, in consequence, the domestic mains supply is restricted to 4 hours every fourth day. It should be possible to maintain this supply through the next dry season and possibly increase it, without recourse to imported water, provided that rainfall during the remainder of this rainy season is not quite exceptionally low. The position is under continuous review.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many British civilians are resident in Hong Kong, and how many other civilians holding United Kingdom passports; and how many foreigners reside in the colony.
§ Mrs. HartThere are some 31,500 residents originating from Commonwealth countries outside Hong Kong. The numbers from individual countries and of passports issued by each of those countries are not available.
About 53 per cent. of the total population of 3.7 million are British nationals by reason of birth in Hong Kong. There are about 15,000 non-Chinese aliens.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost of the Plover Cove water scheme of Hong Kong; when it is hoped to complete this; and if he will give an assurance that this will end water restrictions in the colony.
§ Mrs. HartThe total cost is currently estimated at £35–36 million.
Work on the dam will be fully completed by the middle of 1968. It is, however, already holding water on which it may be possible to draw in the next dry season.
On completion of the scheme, Hong Kong with normal rainfall would still require water from China to maintain a 24-hour supply throughout the year; but a limited daily supply could be provided without water from China even in periods of prolonged drought. By 1971 it will be necessary to add further storage capacity to maintain this position and to this end feasibility studies will shortly be undertaken.