738
117/c/11
- 2
Emergency (Principle) Regulation 37 (1)(a) and (b) (this regulation has been in force since 1950 although it has not I think been used) permits the imposition of, in effect, police supervision orders and restrictions on movement. (Regulation 36 also permits rather closer forms of supervision orders, but this regulation is not at present in force and it would be difficult to activate it now.) We are therefore presently looking into the feasibility of using one or both of the Regulation 37 devices and their probable effectiveness. If to impose police supervision orders and to debar the New Territories men from the areas in which they are influential and feared looks like drawing their teeth to such an extent as materially to reduce their potential for making trouble, then it is possible some or all of these five could be released rather earlier than otherwise and Emergency Regulation 31 de-activated that much sooner. Moreover, we might be able to try this out on No. 15, to see first how it goes. But otherwise, as I say, with the possible exception of No. 46, the releases on 6th January may have to be the last for some little time.
All this, of course, must be subject to reconsideration if the situation changes, but I hope it constitutes the kind of quick review of the position you asked me for. If you have any further queries, would you please let me know.
Finally, I attach a cutting which well summarizes local opinion on the detainees, and which may be of interest
to you.
Yours ever
еш
David.
SECRET
Encls. (2)