in the accepted sense; they are simply people who have sought to enter Hong Kong because of the better opportunities there. Each
case is considered carefully and if there are humanitarian reasons
then the illegal immigrants are allowed to stay.
Your constituents are also incorrect in saying that we do
We know that the
not know what happens to those repatriated.
Chinese authorities regard them as having committed a civil
misdemeanour rather than a criminal offence and there is no
evidence that they are harshly treated.
Finally, I ought to tell you that the figure of 11,719 people repatriated since 1974 given in Evan Luard's answer to Robert Parry's PQ and quoted in the "Private Eye" article referred to by your
constituents was an error.... The right, figure is 4,792.
J
Evan Luard has written to Robert Parry correcting our, error and nd
Hansard will be corrected in due course:se.
1
I am returning your constituents' letter.
(DAVID OWEN)
eve