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Mr Logan
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CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN HONG KONG kú abject. MiGodber's decisim
c different isfice. The Governor seeks to add to the range of offences for which corporal punishment may be imposed on adults, and to
provide for amendments to the range in future to be made by
the Governor in Council.
Argument
2. The Courts have powers at present to impose sentences of
corporal punishment on male persons under the age of sixteen
on conviction of any offence, and on those aged sixteen or over on conviction of any of certain offences specified in the Corporal Punishment (Amendment) Ordinance 1970.
3. The amendment now poposed by the Governor will add other
offences in which violence or threat of violence is involved.
4. Powers to sentence offenders to corporal punishment have been available to the Courts in Hong Kong for many years. The proposed measure has been recommended by the Executive Council
for introduction into the Legislative Council on 24 March. It is supported by the Chief Justice. I understand that Mr Godber has recently agreed, as regards capital punishment, that the Dependent Territories should be allowed to take whatever line the local Legislative Council wish to follow.
Recommendation
5. I recommend that this extension of the powers to impose sentences of corporal punishment be accepted. A draft telegram is attached for approval.
16 March 1971
ник.
Hun. 16.
EMaria
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É O Laird
Hong Kong Department
This proposal clearly has full
/support
CONFIDENTIAL