158
House of Commons, •
S.W.1.
Dear Mr. Thomas,
You are probably aware that considerable uneasiness has been aroused by xxix. reports of unsatisfactory condition relating to social hygiene in the British Crown Colonies, particularly in Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements.
Feeling that it is not altogether desirable to raise technical matters of this kind by Parliamentary questions in the House of Commons, we should much appreciate it if you would allow us to meet you as a small deputation, to lay before you proposals which, if adopted, would, we think, tend to allay public uneasiness, and which might also be of assis- tance by placing at your disposal the best non-official expert
opinion.
The aspects of social hygiene to which we specially
refer are;-
provision for maternity and infant welfare;
the position of the Mui tsai; facilities for the treatment of
tuberculosis; the system of tolerated brothels and vice areas;
the policy towards venereal diseases and facilities for their
effective treatment.
Yours sincerely,
Somer with Hastings
The Rt. Hon.J.H.Thomas, M.P.
Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Colonial Office,
Downing Street, S.W.1.