HC Deb 20 December 1968 vol 775 cc499-500W
Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Chinese prisoners and those detained without trial in Hong Kong have not been allowed to accept warm clothing sent to them during the winter months by the Red Cross and relatives and friends.

Mr. Whitlock

All convicted prisoners are provided with adequate clothing on scales laid down by the Hong Kong Government. Prisoners are not allowed to have private clothing in addition.

Persons in detention have been free to use their own clothing; and there have been no restrictions on clothing sent to them by relatives or friends. I am not aware of any offer of clothing by the Red Cross to persons in detention.

I am satisfied that no convicted prisoner or person in detention has any cause for complaint about the adequacy of the warmth of clothing.