HC Deb 15 February 1979 vol 962 cc611-3W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs over what period representations have been made by the boat people at Yaumati to the Hong Kong Government; to what Departments; and what replies were given.

Mr. Luard

Individual representations have been made for a number of years and co-ordinated ones since mid-1977. The Marine Department, the City District Office, the Government Secretariat and the Governor have all been approached at various times. In response, the boat dwellers have been informed of their right to apply for public housing. Those living on boats found to be in a dangerous condition have speedily been rehoused on land. Between 1960 and 1978 some 80,000 boat dwellers were settled in public housing estates by the Hong Kong Government.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many boat people have drowned in Hong Kong over the past five years; and how many of them were children.

Mr. Luard

Statistics on drownings are available only as a total figure for the whole of Hong Kong. It is not possible to give separate figures for particular categories of people, but it is thought that three persons living on boats in typhoon shelters have drowned over the past two years.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrest of boat people from the Yaumati typhoon shelter, who are seeking resettlement in Hong Kong, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange.

Mr. Luard

Seventy-six people were arrested on 7 January and charged with unlawful assembly. They had ignored two requests to disperse. No evidence was offered against 10 minors. The remainder were found guilty as charged at their trial on 12 February. The 56 boat people involved were given absolute discharges; the others, including one student arrested subsequently, were bound over to be of good behaviour for 18 months.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the occupation of those arrested on 7 January who were protesting at living conditions at Yaumati typhoon shelter and the ages of the children arrested.

Mr. Luard

The occupations were as follows:

  • 29 housewives
  • 10 juveniles
  • 8 garment workers
  • 8 unemployed
  • 5 metal workers
  • 4 students
  • 2 cleaners
  • 2 labourers
  • 2 social workers
  • 1 boat contractor
  • 1 doctor
  • 1 hawker
  • l electronics worker
  • 1 priest
  • 1 transport worker

The ages of the 10 juveniles were:

  • 2 aged 13
  • 4 aged 12
  • 1 aged 11
  • 1 aged 10
  • 1 aged 9
  • 1 aged 8.

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