CO537-3701 — Page 8

CATRACT FROM OFFICIAL REPORT, C.

8. 13/48.

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HONG KONG (IMMIGRATION)

3. Sir Ronald Ross asked the Secre- tary of State for the Colonies what regu- lations exist at Hong Kong to check the character of those coming to the Colony from the mainland and to limit the total numbers admitted.

Mr. Rees-Williams: The provisions of the Immigration Ordinance apply to these people. The practical difficulties of enforcing these provisions are, of course, very great. The situation is under constant review.

Sir R. Ross: Is the Minister aware that Hong Kong is at present very over- crowded, that food difficulties are aris- ing and that fairly large numbers of un- desirable people are apparently getting in? Is he satisfied that, in the event, let us say, of panic in Shanghai, the situation would not be reduced to com- plete chaos?

Mr. Rees-Williams: In reply to the first part of the Question, we are only too well aware of these conditions. As for the second part, I am not at all aware that there would be chaos in Hong Kong; in fact, we are doing everything we can to prevent such a contingency.

Mr. Walter Fletcher: Would the Under-Secretary agree that, in view of the fact that, on the last great wave of immi- gration into Hong Kong, there were great deficiences in medical and other services, steps should be taken now, because con- ditions will certainly be worse in the next great wave?

Mr. Rees-Williams: We are looking into this question at the moment, and I hope the necessary steps will be taken.

Mr. John Paton: Is it not the case that the latest figures from the Colony show that the number of immigrants into the Colony is less than the number speaking of Chinese nationals. of emigrants from the Colony? I am

Mr. Rees-Williams: That may be so, but I understood that the Question was put to me in case there was a large influx from Shanghai or from other parts of China.

Sir Ralph Glyn: Could the Under- Secretary say what steps have been taken to provide the necessary services to prevent disease and pestilence if there is overcrowding?

Mr. Rees-Williams: We are hoping to avoid overcrowding, but the Governor is now looking into all these questions to see how far the conditions can be met, either by camps or otherwise.