Such debates there have in fact been no relating specially to legislation on these subjects in the Colonies but to the general policy of Parliament as shown by C.D. Acts, by the Enactment of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885, Part II which very clearly strengthens the law against Brothels, by the resolution passed (see Report referred to in margin, C-7148) on 5th June 1888 against the licensing or regulation of Prostitution. Further legislation to prohibit such regulation in any form is proposed in the Report referred to in margin, & is now being considered by the Govt. of India & India Office.
"As appeared in the House a few days ago. If the decision to abolish the Registration system (as laid down in the despatch on 22742/42) is carried out, it does not follow (as assumed in Enc. 6 to the present despatch) that the evil of brothels will be over.
"Such of the Laws of England as Existed on the 5th April 1843 are in force in Hongkong Except so far as the said Law is "inapplicable to the local circumstances". Hence the first effect of repealing the legalization of brothels will be to bring into operation the old Acts of Geo. II & Geo. II for suppressing disorderly houses.
In despatch No. 59 of 26 July 1881, Lord Kimberley wrote. "It will also be desirable to take summary powers for dealing with any house that from its situation or the disorderly conduct of the inmates "creates a scandal to the neighbours or the passersby; and as this cannot be done by indictment at common law under the Act 25 Geo. II c. 36 s. 5 seem to be unsuited to the circumstances of Hongkong, where such cases may be dealt with as police offences, & determined by a Magistrate."
Nothing however was done in the direction of this proposal; until 1889, the C.D. Ordinance 10 of 1867 remained in force & S.29 of that Ord said that "Nothing herein contained shall affect any other remedies applicable by the laws in force in the Colony for the time being for the suppression of unlicensed brothels", so that the Act of Geo. II was kept alive but only as regards unlicensed brothels.
When the C.D. Ord. of 1887 was repealed, the new Ordinance...