the purposes of permanent legislation the application
to police officers of the words "acting in the course
does Leeur to
go rather
of his duty" gees/too far.
It confers a much wider
power than is normal, e.g. in this country where it is
confined to the performance of a police officer's duty
to prevent and detect crime. I understand that during
his recent visit to Hong Kong, John Moreton discussed
this oint with Denys Roberts and that the latter hats), my thought that
agreed that the powers of police officers in this con-
text could without difficulty be modified accordingly.
problems
We hope therefore that this particular difficulty has
But
you should feel that
been resolved. However, if there are special circum-
which
anild
stances in Hong Kong that in your view justify the con-
ferment in permanent legislation of a wider power on
I am sure you would let me kuai. police officers, we should be glad to know what these
it would be very helpful if you could
are. In that event there would be advantage, I feel
let us
nee
sure, in our seeing your proposed legislation in draft.
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