Mr. Moreton
Parliamentary Office
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The attached Parliamentary question by Mr. Frank Allaun refers both to convicted prisoners and to persons detained under Emergency Regulations in Hong Kong in connection with last year's disturbances
in the Colony.
2. So far as convicted prisoners are concerned, the total of 350 prisoners remaining in custody at the end of this year will be reduced to 140 by the end of 1969, as a result of the normal process of release, assuming that full remission of sentence is earned in each case. Thereafter, the number remaining in custody at the end of each of the five calendar years 1970 to 1974 inclusive, is expected to be eighty six, fifty four, forty five and seventeen respectively. By the end of 1977 there will remain only two prisoners both of whom have been sentenced to life imprisonment for causing or attempting to cause explosions.
3. The number of persons now detained under Emergency Regulations is sixteen. In all, fifty four persons were so detained, but thirty two have since been released.
4. Copies are attached of previous Hansard extracts on the subject of Emergency Regulations and detainees in Hong Kong, except in the case of two Questions which were asked on 17 December by Mr. Leo Abse. The relevant Hansard extracts of these two Questions are not yet available in the department, but copies will be attached in the Parliamentary Office.
Hong Kong Department 18 December, 1968
L. 5. Cart
(W. S. Carter)
Volural
18/12