asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the emergency regulations now operating in Hong Kong empower the police to arrest and expel anyone who appears to have no regular employment in the Colony; and whether, to avoid unjustactions, he will ensure that such cases are submitted to a court of law?

I am aware of this emergency regulation, and, while emergency conditions in and around Hong Kong persist, I consider that the regulations are fully justified and that no injustice need be apprehended.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that under the existing regulations arbitrary and unjust action might be taken, and that that is not a very good advertisement for our government of Hong Kong?

I think that perhaps the hon. Member does not sufficiently realise the conditions in Hong Kong. At the present time many thousands of refugees are coming into Hong Kong under extraordinary conditions, and extraordinary methods are required.

Is there any redress for entirely innocent persons against what appears to be the arbitrary manner in which the police are acting?

These are special regulations to enable the police, in almost impossibly difficult circumstances, to deal with these thousands of refugees.