§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Prime Minister why those Chinese sailors from Hong Kong who had been serving in the South Atlantic underwent immigration procedures on entry to the United Kingdom; and if she will ensure that such procedures are not in future applied to this group of seamen, in order to demonstrate Her Majesty's Government's appreciation of their work in the exclusion zone.
§ The Prime MinisterAs these sailors are not members of Her Majesty's Forces, they are subject to control under the Immigration Act 1971. However, they were not individually examined on their arrival and were admitted with the minimum of formality. The same will be done for any future arrivals.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Prime Minister how the financial arrangements of the next of kin of the Hong Kong Chinese sailors killed or wounded in the South Atlantic compare with those for (a) British Service men and (b) merchant seamen.
§ The Prime MinisterThe lump sum compensation for the death or injury of Hong Kong Chinese Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel is the same as for United Kingdom merchant seamen, but no occupational pension will be provided since the Hong Kong Chinese were not members of a pension scheme. The lump sum is greater than for Service men of junior rank, but with the same proviso. Hong Kong Chinese embarked on Her Majesty's ships to provide laundry and similar services under contract were covered by private insurers indemnified by the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made to assist the families of those Chinese sailors from Hong Kong killed and injured in the South Atlantic.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. Apart from the financial arrangements, welfare visits have been paid to all the next of kin and will be paid to the injured; and advice on money and other problems is being provided.