From: Stan Newens, M.P.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SWIA OAA
DE
2 Ø MAR 1979
INDEX
10. 51
ISTRY
Takan
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Goronwy-Roberts,
HKK 360/1
Акк
23rd February, 1979.
(279
Foreign and commonwealth Afr MAR 179
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
Downing Street,
London, SW1A 2AL.
INDEX
No
дж
Dear Goronwy,
1. A
2.
3.
I have been approached on behalf of the Yaumati Boat People of Hong Kong, a group of whom were detained by the Police while on their way to petition the Governor on 7th January, 1979, about their housing problems. I understand that there was no question of their behaving in an unreasonable manner at the time, since they were travelling in buses stopped at the exit of the cross harbour tunnel. Of the 76 people arrested, 10 were children between 7 and 12 years of age.
This incident raises two problems. The first is that of the right of people with a genuine grievance to petition the Governor, and while I entirely accept that public order has to be preserved I would have thought that provisions had to be made to enable those with a grievance to make it known in a peaceful and acceptable manner.
The second issue, which from the point of view of the Boat People is primary, is their need for resettlement. I am informed that those who live on boats are finding it increasingly difficult to make a living owing to changes in technique, and many families have now given up any hope of sustaining themselves by this means, despite the fact that their ancestors have done so for generations. They are therefore now seeking to be rehoused on dry land which ought to be welcomed in one sense, since boat life is grossly overcrowded, insanitary, and dangerous.
I notice from figures supplied to me that there are supposed to be 1668 children below the age of 14, while it is stated that 1059 get their schooling ashore. Presumably most of the rest are working, which raises an issue which I have put to you previously that of child labour. These figures are taken from the Joint Commissioners Report as published in a dossier prepared by the Asian Secretariat of the International Movement of Catholic Students.
I have also had passed to me a letter signed by Asian delegates to a theological conference in Sri Lanka in support of the Yaumati Boat People; I am enclosing this herewith.
HKG
I should be extremely grateful if you would look into this issue.
282
ls Lashas not soun
Department for
advice and draft reply from
Lord GR
Yours sincerely,
Stan Nevens
Stan Newens.
246