PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM F.C.0. 381100Z
CONFIDENTIAL
(HK)
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELMO 253 OF 33 MARCH
LAST
REF.
2
YOUR TELMO 291: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
REF.
13
1. IN VIEW OF WHAT YOU SAY I AGREE THAT THE SCHEDULE TO THE
PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED AS PROPOSED. IF NEW
LEGISLATION IS CRITICISED HERE WE SHALL HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT IT
HAS RECEIVED VERY WIDESPREAD PUBLIC SUPPORT IN HONG KONG,
HOWEVER I THINK IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE, NOT MERELY FOR THE SAKE OF
BRITISH PUBLIC OPINION, IF THE ADDITION OF OFFENCES INVOLVING
VIOLENCE COULD BE BALANCED AGAINST THE DELETION OF OFFENCES ALREADY
IN THE LIST, BUT NOT INVOLVING VIOLENCE, I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF
YOU WOULD CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING SUCH AM AMENDMENT IN
THE CASE OF ROBBERY, FOR EXAMPLE.
2. I WAS GLAD TO HEAR FURTHER CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE
PROPOSAL TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE
OF OFFENCES BY ORDER, I THINK IT IMPORTANT THAT ANY AMENDMENT OF
SCHEDULE SHOULD BE MADE BY THE LEGISLATURE, SINCE THIS PROCESS AFFORDS AN OPPORTUNITY OF PUBLIC DISCUSSION (SEE SECOND SENTENCE OF PARA 1).
DOUGLAS HOME
FILES
HKD
UND
PRIV SEC
PS TO MR ROYLE
SIR L MONSON
MR WILFORD DTSAU
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51
5771
MIKK 14/10
· CONFIDENTIAL
>