with (141)
FL
88
:00
FLAG B
1091
Has saw.
Mr. Moréton
Mogoton
CONFIDENTIAL
cffi/e My 14/1
Parliamentary Of
The attached Question by Mr. Rankin is the latest in
Although we are
the series of Questions on the subject of detainees in Hong
Kong. It is for oral reply on 20 January.
well down in the list for Questions on that day, it is just
possible that we may be reached.
2.
This Question is somewhat similar to one asked by
Mr. Ronald Atkins (Preston North) on 16 December, but I do
not think that it can be answered simply by a reference to
that earlier Question. The earlier Question referred to the
removal of the power of detention; the present Question
refers to the suspension of that power. It would in fact
be quite inappropriate to suspend an emergency regulation:
the latter is a temporary measure introduced for a specific
ad hoc purpose: and as soon as that purpose has been
achieved the emergency regulation is revoked altogether.
3.
The Secretary of State had discussions with the
Governor on this subject during the latter's recent visit
to this country. At those discussions the conclusion was
reached that the Governor should continue his present policy
of releasing detainees as fast as he safely could, having
regard to security considerations. There are now only six
persons remaining in detention in Hong Kong. Of these, five
are the most dangerous of all the detainees and are still