§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the birth rate in Hong Kong over the last 10 years.
§ Mr. LuardThe birth rate in Hong Kong has declined significantly over the last 10 years. The crude birth rate, which represents the number of live births for each 1,000 of the total population, has fallen from 25.3 to 17.7, and the general fertility rate, which represents the number of live births for each 1,000 females in the fertile age group of 15 to 49 years of age, from 115.8 to 72.9. The following table shows the position in detail:
Year Number of live births Crude birth rate General fertility rate 1966 … 91,832 25.3 115.8 1967 … 88,215 23.7 108.0 1968 … 82,685 21.7 98.4 1969 … 82,482 21.3 95.7 1970 … 79,132 20.0 88.9 1971 … 79,789 19.7 86.7 1972 … 80,344 19.7 86.2 1973 … 82,252 19.8 85.8 1974 … 83,581 19.7 84.4 1975 … 79,790 18.3 77.3 1976 … 78,486 17.7 72.9
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the family planning programme in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. LuardIt is the Hong Kong Governments' policy to ensure that the whole range of family planning services are available to all who desire them. The intention is to develop existing services and to increase publicity and research734W activities. At present there are a total of 66 family planning clinics in Hong Kong, of which 40 are run by the Medical and Health Department and offer family planning and maternal and child health services. The remaining 26 clinics are run by the Family Planning Association, a subsidised voluntary organisation, and provide birth control services. The number of those attending a family planning clinic for the first time in 1975 was 32 per cent. higher than in 1974 and the total attendance showed an increase of 63 per cent. over the same period. My right hon. Friend is satisfied with the progress that the Hong Kong Government are making with its family planning programme.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution is made by the Hong Kong Government to the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control.
§ Mr. LuardThe Hong Kong Government make an annual contribution of $HK100,000—about £12,500—to the United Nations Fund for drug abuse control. At present Hong Kong's contribution is one of the highest among developing countries and territories, particularly those in South-East Asia.