CONFIDENTIAL **
$
SECURITY BRANCH PROGRESS REPORT
1st November, 1980 to 31st January, 1981
Part I (Major Items)
(
Subject
1. Illegal
Immigration
Purpose
To prevent illegal immigration from China
Progress Made and Present Position
(a) Numbers markedly reduced since "reached base"
policy ended. 2236 illegal immigrants arrested during quarter compared with 36,988 in previous quarter and 28,077 for same quarter in 1980. Daily averages of arrests in successive months were 30, 23 and 20.
(b) Implementation of new policy has gone smoothly.
213 evaders have been arrested- as a result of Police and Labour Department operations. No evidence as yet of numerous evaders at large.
(c) Interviewing of those registering specially
continues. 3750 have been allowed to stay and 423 repatriated.
(a) Border Defences. Work well advanced on
extension to new fence west of Sha Tau Kok (Phase Ia) and across the Mai Po Marshes (Phase IV). Work started on new maintenance
F depot. unds being sought for final phase (V) from the Mai Po Marshes (Yuen Long Creek) to Tsim Bei Tsui.
(e) Study into Joint Maritime Communications
for Security Forces continues.
(f) Second draft of legislation to curb use of
speedboats for illegal immigration has been considered.
Next Quarter's Target
(a) To maintain an effective
barrier and arrest as many as possible.
(b) To continue to monitor and
adjust plans as necessary for implementing the policy.
(c) Complete interviewing.
(a) To complete Maintenance
Depot and Phases Ia and IV. Commence work on Phase V.
CONFIDENTIAL #B
(e) Consider report on equipment.
needs (due April 1981) and seek funds.
(f) Seek agreement of ExCo and
LegCo for legislative amendments. Seek fundi
for and construct site for impounded speedboats.