2600224 C.S. 84
XCR(73)90
RESTRICTED
8.
34
It has been argued that corporal punishment would be an appropriate alternative mandatory punishment. It is likely that this would be welcomed by magistrates, as providing a sharp punishment for youngsters who might be soured, rather than deterred, by a prison sentence. This would be likely to be regarded as an accept- able alternative by members of the public, who tend to believe that this kind of punishment has a powerful deterrent effect on young men. It has been suggested that a minimum number of strokes should be prescribed by law but it is felt that this should be left to the discretion of magistrates. It should be noted that, before the mandatory sentence was introduced last December, corporal punishment could be ordered for an offence under section 33.
Matters of Judicial Administration
35
In order to deal with the backlog of serious criminal cases, the Chief Justice is arranging for a suitable number of Commissioners of the Supreme Court to be appointed, in order to reduce the delay in trying cases at this level.
36
So far as the District Court is concerned, the Chief Justice has applied for the creation of two additional posts of District Judge. It is hoped that these will be approved by the Finance Committee this month.
37
Honourable Members will recall that one of the major recommendations of the Chinese Language Committee was that steps should be taken, whenever possible, to arrange for Cantonese to be used as the main language of the lower courts in Hong Kong.
38
The Chief Justice has agreed to introduce Cantonese as the language of the court, initially in a small number of magistrates' courts. Although some preparatory work is required, and the necessary number of Cantonese-speaking magistrates and prosecutors will need to be made available, the scheme could be introduced at short notice at a time which is most convenient having regard to the timing of the anti-crime campaign which is to be launched in June.
39
Honourable Members will be asked to advise whether the following Bills should be introduced into the Legislative Council:
RESTRICTED