§ 16. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there has been any change in the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Hong Kong since they came to office; and if he will make a statement on the aims of the present Government's policy towards Hong Kong.
§ Mr. LuardNo. Her Majesty's Government's policy, like that of previous Governments, is to administer Hong Kong in the interests of those who live there.
§ 24. Sir John Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many refugees from the Chinese mainland have been sent back by the Hong Kong authorities; what information and assurances are received about their treatment on return; how many such refugees have been allowed to remain in Hong Kong; how many have moved from Hong Kong to third countries; whether he will specify such countries; and whether he will make a statement about the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this regard.
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§ Mr. LuardSince the reintroduction on 30th November 1974 of the policy of refusing entry approximately 2,300 persons have been apprehended trying to enter Hong Kong illegally from China and have been returned. I have no reason to believe that those returned have suffered unduly harsh treatment. I shall write separately in amplification of these points in answer to the other Questions raised by the hon. Member.
§ 28. Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the trend in crime figures for the last year in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. LuardI am pleased to inform the hon. Member that in 1976 the trend in crime figures in Hong Kong continued to show the consistent decline which had begun in 1975, so that by the end of 1976 the level of crime was back to that recorded at the end of 1973.