*
*C
.25.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
for ORAL answer on2 March 1977
HKD
The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Office through your Under-Secretary by
Noon, Wednesday 23 February 1977.
Sir John Rodgers (Sevenoaks): To ask 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.
Since the reintroduction on 30 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
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