SECRET
(972/47).
No. 21.
54049/48 9/40
Sir,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
9ch
June, 1948.
(3) +(1)
I have the honour to inform you that it is proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Telephone Ordinance, No. 9 of 1925, so as to provide power to order the inspection of the Telephone Company's records and the interception of telephone messages. A copy of the proposed amend-
ment is attached.
2.
Power already exists under the Telecommunications Ordinance, No. 18 of 1936, Section 5 (1) to issue warrants requiring the production of messages sent by telegraph line or radio communication, but no authority exists for the interception of telephone conversations. I consider that this power, which I understand is already held in Singapore, should be possessed here in view of the believed extensive use of the telephone in connection with criminal transactions and especially with smuggling of gold, currencies and goods to and from China, which this Government is pledged to prevent. Its absence hampers preventive work and makes it more difficult to avoid giving the Chinese Government (which in its own country is not hampered by any necessity to obey laws) material to support its repeated charges that this Government secretly encourages, while making a show of suppressing, smuggling.
3.
As the proposed measure may well arouse considerable objection + public from the public, I should be grateful for your guidance, in the light
the flee
of the law and practice in the United Kingdom before proceeding further in this matter.
RECEIVED 21 JUN 1948
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
A. CREECH JONES, M.P.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
нишка
GOVERNOR.
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