asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Hong Kong Government regarding the admission, and repatriation, of refugees from the mainland of China.

Total immigration into Hong Kong from China has greatly increased in the last three years, to a level—estimated at 74,000 in 1973, compared with less than 13,500 in 1971—which Hong Kong cannot absorb. Illegal immigrants into Hong Kong are, therefore, now being refused permission to enter. But full account is taken of any special circumstances or cases of genuine hardship.