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No lives have been lost and about 12 persons have been treated for minor injuries. Normal conditions were restored by about 5.45 p.m. on Saturday, but a Government spokesman advised people, in their own interests, to stay at home as far as possible on Saturday night. A number of arrests were made. The situation is quiet.
Mr. Dugdale: In the first place, may I associate Members on this side of the House with any tribute which may be paid to the heroism and the success of . the conduct of our troops and police in what must have been a very difficult situation indeed? Second, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, to reassure the people in Hong Kong, he will inform the House what steps have been taken to provide adequate comfort and relief for those people who suffered from the fire in November?
Mr. Lyttelton: First of all, let me make it quite clear that no troops were used, only police. I do, of course, agree that the police handled the matter with great efficiency. I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to put down a Question about the exact state of the housing projects-- I saw some of them myself--to house the homeless.
Mr. Geoffrey Bing: Are we to under- stand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that a body of people had collected a sum of money for the relief of the sug- gested destitution there, and would not it be a good thing that we should say one word of thanks if they have so done?
Mr. Lyttelton: The Governor quite rightly said that he would be prepared to consider receiving a representative of the donors if they would kindly submit a scheme. They have not done so.
Mr. John Paton: Did not the trouble really arise because of the assembly of a crowd of people which afterwards became disorderly, and is not it strange that in the official communiqué the curi- ous phrase, “It is understood that the postponement of the visit of the delega- tion at Hong Kong was conveyed to the Federation of Trade Unions," is used? Cannot the Hong Kong Government say definitely whether that information was conveyed or not?
Mr. Lyttelton: The matter is neces- sarily in the dispensation of the Hong Kong Government. They understand, and so do I, that that information was conveyed.
Mr. Paton: Cannot it be said whether it was or not?
Mr. Dugdale: Will the Minister say quite definitely what has been done to meet the difficulties of these people, be- cause it would be of great assistance to everyone in Hong Kong to know what steps have been taken by the Gov. ernment?
Mr. Lyttelton: If the right hon. Gentle- man is referring to the housing of the 10,000 persons, he must be aware that that housing scheme is in being and is now in an advanced stage. I think he wants to know exactly what stage it has now reached and, if so, I shall be glad to look into the point.
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