§ 25. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress the Hong Kong Government have made in the last 10 years in the provision of State secondary, further and higher education.
§ Mr. LuardDuring the last 10 years the number of State and State-subsidised secondary places has been increased from 63,600 to 246,200, an increase of 287 per cent.; the number of further education places from 18,200 to 37,100, an increase of 104 per cent.; and the number of172W higher education places from 7,920 to 16,260, an increase of 105 per cent. There has been a 60 per cent. increase in the 12–21-year-old population age group during the same period.
§ 35. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs upon what specific matters the Hong Kong Government estimate that graft syndicates have been receiving £125 million a year, as stated by Mr. Jack Cater, Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption on 15th February in his address to the Rotary Club of Hong Kong.
§ Mr. LuardThe Hong Kong Government have no specific estimate. The figure quoted by my hon. Friend was no more than an educated guess by the Hong Kong Commissioner Against Corruption, Mr. Cater, to indicate the gravity of the problem as it once existed and which is now being tackled vigorously.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Hong Kong Government's definitions are of the nature and extent of corruption in Hong Kong since before 1973 it stated graft was virtually minimal, while at present the estimate is of some £125 million a year.
§ Mr. LuardThe report of Mr. Justice Blair-Kerr's Commission of Enquiry into Corruption in 1973 stated that corruption is deep-seated and long-established in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government accepted that this was so when they set up the Independent Commission Against Corruption. I would also refer to the answer that I have given today to another of my hon. Friend's Questions.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police or ex-police witnesses have given Queen's evidence to the Crown's Law Officers in Hong Kong; and how many have admitted using intimidation against uncompliant colleagues who would not take bribe retainers.
§ Mr. LuardTwelve police or ex-police officers have given "Queen's Evidence" in criminal proceedings in corruption cases. No police or ex-police officer has 173W admitted using intimidation against un-compliant colleagues who would not take bribe retainers.