in Hong Kong, and I do so again now, I would like them to know how much we admire their restraint in these very difficult circumstances.
36 police and 70 demonstrators were reported as injured. Of these, three police and 14 others were admitted to hospital, but have since been discharged. There was one death, that of a bystander who was killed by a stone. 815 persons were arrested, of whom 65 have been released or acquitted. Of the remainder 565 have been convicted, and 185 cases are pending. All those arrested are being dealt with by the normal processes of the law. The House may feel that these facts contrast somewhat with other reports which have appeared elsewhere, alleging, for example, that on one day alone "at least 200 compatriots were killed or severely injured".
Since the 22nd May there have been no demonstrations, but there have been a series of token stoppages. There has been widespread and forthright public support in Hong Kong for the measures taken by the Government to deal with violence, intimidation and hooliganism and to preserve order. The Governor has received messages of support from over 500 representative organisations. My latest information is that work at both the factories involved in the original labour dispute has now been resumed.
The House may wish to know that for some time now improvements in labour conditions have been under consideration in Hong Kong, and I am in consultation with the Governor about changes in the labour laws, which I think we all feel would be timely. They include such matters as hours of work for women and young persons, and conciliation machinery.
For the future, we must hope that good sense will prevail. The Secretary of State and I are of course in close and constant touch with the Governor. There have been statements alleging that the Hong Kong Government have been acting out of motives of enmity towards China. I do not need to say that we,
like all sections of opinion in Hong Kong, have sought and will continue to seek friendly relations with China. But the Government of Hong Kong has the duty to maintain peace, order and good government there, for the benefit of all sections of the community, and we have given them clear assurances of our complete support and determination to fulfil our responsibilities in Hong Kong.
Finally, I want to pay tribute to the calm and courageous leadership during these difficult times of the Governor, Sir David Trench; to the ability and determination shown by the whole Hong Kong Administration; to the splendid behaviour of the police; and to the spirit of the people of Hong Kong generally.
Ends.
2.
Supplementary questions and answers as recorded in preliminary Hansard proof are as follows.
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