R+2
40
Ref: AGC/9/1250/67C
Your Ref: HKK 300/548/1
R
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS
A MAY 1976
HONG KONG
28th April, 1976.
pr
NKK 300/540/1
R.B. Janvrin, Esq.,
Ари
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Dept. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, LONDON, SW1.
Dear Robin,
(36)
I refer to your letter dated 8th April, 1976, enclosing a letter to Mr. Frank Allaun, M.P. from Mr. Bradley, the representative of the Young Socialists on the Labour Party National Executive Committee.
The Public Order Ordinance makes provision not only for the control of public meetings, processions and gatherings but also for dealing with intimidation, public mischief and the carrying of offensive weapons in public places.
The provisions in Part III of the Public Order Ordinance relating to the licensing and control of public meetings and public processions must be seen in the context of the densely populated conditions of Hong Kong. In such conditions a minor incident could easily and rapidly escalate into a major one merely because of the presence of so many people.
The need for control of public gatherings in the densely crowded conditions of Hong Kong appears to be generally accepted by the population and the provisions of the Ordinance relating to group activity are used only infrequently.
You will be aware of the range of exemptions in subsection (5) of section 7. Perhaps your reply to Mr. Allaun, M.P. might also usefully refer to the right of appeal to the Governor personally in section 10 of the Ordinance.
The Revolutionary Marxist League is a group of between 20 to 30 youths with Trotskyist beliefs. On 27th October 1975, the League members were involved in 2 separate incidents in relation to the visit of Mr. William Rodgers to the Colony.
Incident A. Two persons, WONG Chung-sing and YEUNG Wai-yan were arrested by the Police in Tai Yau Street, San Po Kong and charged with (a) distributing hand bills in the Chinese language without the permission of the Secretary for Home Affairs; (b) putting up notices in the Chinese language without the permission of the Secretary for Home Affairs (both offences