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Alignment therefore entailed giving preferences to Hong Kong's competitors
amongst the developing countries, who benefit under the Community GSP
thereby discriminating against Hong Kong. Politically it is difficult
for us to justify discrimination against our own Colony in favour of
her competitors. In November 1973 the Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster put it on record in Brussels that we would press resolutely
for inclusion of Hong Kong in the EEC GSP on the same basis as her
competitors from 1975 onwards.
6.
CRIME IN HONG KONG
Over the last four years figures for violent crime, including
homicide, have been increasing rapidly. The proportion of young
people committing violent crime has also been increasing.
Over the past two years the Governor has introduced and is intro-
ducing a wide series of measures designed to combat this trend. Two
major changes were introduced last year. The first was the right of
the Crown to appeal to the Supreme Court against sentences it considers
inadequate. The second was the establishment of a Detention Centre for
young people designed to subject new young offenders to a short but
rather sharp form of punishment. Other recent measures include the
introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for the possession of
offensive weapons in a public place; new maximum sentencing powers for
magistrates; new preventive de tention provisions; a substantial rise in
police pay and increased recruitment; and a successful recruitment cam-
paign to add to the strength of the Auxiliary Police. The Governor also
hopes to increase community involvement and a "Fight Violent Crime" cam-
paign has recently been conducted in Hong Kong.
The indications over recent months are that the situation is at
least being contained. In the past there has been criticism that
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4.