HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -15 February 1989
香港立法局一九八九年二月十五日
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SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, the restrictions on movement into and out of Sha Tau Kok are part of the general restrictions on the Frontier Closed Area which runs along the length of the border with China. The Frontier Closed Area is an essential part of our system for preventing illegal immigration. Although present levels of illegal immigration are relatively low, the problem still persists and we need to guard against any resurgence. In 1988 a total of 20 987 illegal immigrants were arrested, of whom over 9 000 were arrested on the land border. Without the Frontier Closed Area, the difficulties of intercepting illegal immigrants would be very much greater.
The Government is aware of the concern of Sha Tau Kok residents, and the restrictions on movement in and out of the closed area have been made as simple as possible. Any reported complaints or cases where applicants for permits experience difficulty will be investigated promptly by the police.
Some development has taken place within the closed area and Sha Tau Kok town is being greatly improved. But this redevelopment is intended only to improve conditions for existing residents and not to open up the area for general development.
The Administration keeps the need for the closed area restrictions under regular review and changes will be made where possible to minimize inconvenience to local residents.
劉皇發議員問:主席先生,現時沙頭角禁區內的居民感到最大不便的一個問題便是申請禁區紙時 手續煩複,並且須出示眾多的證明文件,如出世紙和並非每個人都會擁有的土地契約等等。請問 當局會否在短期內檢討這問題?此外,沙頭角禁區內的居民若要在深夜十二時至凌晨四時在禁區 內走動,除要有禁區紙外,還要有夜禁纸,而這些禁區紙的發出為數甚少。政府會否考慮容許有 禁區紙的居民均可在宵禁時間在區內走動,以減少限制居民的自由和活動?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, the possibility of simplifying the procedures was considered in a review which was carried out in April 1988. It was concluded then that the procedures could not be made any simpler. Now we are aware of the general complaints about applications and procedures and the documents that these entail? The police have promised, as I have said, to investigate such complaints as are reported to them but, as yet, no one has made any specific complaint that could be dealt with. Turning to the second part of Mr. LAU's question, the suggestion that curfew permits be abolished and the resident need only produce a closed area permit would mean that residents in possession of closed area permits would not be subject to the curfew. But in the review I have referred to which was carried out in April of last year, it was
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