Hong Kong Department
17
HD Clinton Esq CMG GM Acting Colonial Secretary
IC FONG
LAST
24 June 1971
In Elewly
BU & Truck
3
The
14
15
1 X (18/25
20
BUZ
AL
You will remember Mr John Rankin's Parliamentary question on squatters (FCO telegram No. 444 of 17 June).
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A
As it happened this particular question was not reached.
· "I have no written answer was therefore included in Hansard evidence of any recent increase in the number of squatters in Hong Kong"
I am writing about this now because we should be grateful if you could define for us the expression "metropolitan area" included in paragraph 1 of your telegram No. 413. What we wanted to do was to compare the figure of 187,000 with the total population of the "metropolitan area" and in case a similar question is asked in the future it would be helpful to us to have this information on record here.
We are looking into the suggestion (interim replies to Parliamentary Questions) you made in your letter to me, No. CR 1/3566/70 of 8 June and I hope to be able to send you a reply shortly.
E O Laird