XN000022-1976-03-10 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

EARLIER, DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE NON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE APPREHENSION IN THE MINDS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE BILL WOULD CONFER ON THE COMMISSION THE POWERS OF A SECOND POLICE FORCE IN HONG KONG.

+ I HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE STEPS TO MAKE IT CLEAR BY COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS THAT THIS IS NOT THE INTENTION, HE SAID.

HE REMINDED THE COMMISSIONER OF ICAC THAT CONTINUOUS VIGILANCE AND CAUTION WAS AT ALL TIMES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE POWERS GIVEN UNDER THE AMENDED BILL WOULD NOT BE ABUSED.

ALTHOUGH ONLY 22 CASES OF IMPERSONATION OF ICAC OFFICERS WERE REPORTED SINCE MAY 1974, HE SUGGESTED +WATERTIGHT PROCEDURES+ SHOULD BE DEVISED TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPERSONATION.

THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS REFERRED TO THE POWER OF SEARCH BY ICAC OFFICERS.

SHE SAID THAT +SINCE THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE HAS POWERS TO ARREST AND SEARCH SMUGGLERS, AND KINDRED FOLK, SURELY THE ICAC MUST ALSO HAVE ADEQUATE POWERS.+

HOWEVER, SHE SAID THAT IF ICAC OFFICERS WERE TO ARREST A SUSPECT IN PREMISES OTHER THAN HIS OWN HOME OR PLACE OF WORK, +THE INCONVENIENCE AND SLIGHT EMBARRASSMENT SO CAUSED TO THE

INNOCENT OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF THE PREMISES MUST BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM,+

MRS. SYMONS HOPED THAT SUCH SEARCHING +WOULD NOT BE MADE LIGHTLY, THROUGH LAZINESS OR LACK OF CONCERN, OR AN UNSAVOURY DESIRE TO SEARCH PROPERTY WITH A WRONG MOTIVE.

ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL WHO SPOKE ON THE BILL WAS THE HON. LO TAK-SHING,

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