CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 164

House of Corone,

156

8.7.1.

Dear Mr. Thomas,

You are probably aware that considerable uneяainesa has been aroused by reports of unsatisfactory conditions relating to social hygiene in the British Crown Colonies, particularly in Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements.

Feeling that it is not altogether desriable 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 aB 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 expert

opinion.

The aspects of social hygiene to which we specially

refer are:- provision for maternity and infant welfare;

the position of the Mui tsal; facilities for the treatment

of tuberculosis; the system of tolerated brothels and vice

areab; the policy towards venereal diseases and facilities

for their effective treatment.

Yours sincerely,

The Rt. Hon.J.H. Thomas, 15.P.

Käact it.

Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office,

Downing Street, S.W.l.