asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the conditions of service for married and unmarried women doctors employed in the public service in Hong Kong.

I have asked the Governor for full details, and I will circulate the information in the Official Report.

Will my hon. Friend ask the Governor to consider the differential made between married women in the medical service, and widows and separated women, and alter the categories in the medical service so that married women will be placed on an equal basis with men?

I will certainly consider that point. I know that there are different arrangements for unmarried and married women, and I will certainly go into that as soon as I have the Governor's advice.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that his right hon. Friend received a petition, dated 7th February this year, from married women in Hong Kong, but that they have had no reply? Can he tell us when the Colonial Secretary will reply to this petition?

I am very sorry about that. I knew that we had had a petition, but I did not know that we had not sent a reply, I will try to nave the reply expedited, and will let the hon. Gentleman know as soon as possible.