XN000022-1983-08-10 — Page 21

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1983

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NO AIDS REPORTED IN HONG KONG

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THERE HAD BEEN NO REPORT OF ANY CASE OF THE ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR IN LOCAL MEDICAL LITERATURE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.F. LAM SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR LAM SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.

+AIDS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN HOMOSEXUALS, INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSERS. HAITIANS AND PATIENTS WITH BLEEDING DISEASES (HAEMOPHILIACS) NEEDING FREQUENT AND PROLONGED BLOOD REPLACEMENT TREATMENT, HE SAID,

WATCHMEN'S PARTICULARS CHECKED BY POLICE

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ALL APPLICANTS FOR A WATCHMAN'S PERMIT ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WITH THEIR FULL PERSONAL PARTICULARS.

AND BEFORE THEY ARE GIVEN PERMITS, THEY ARE INTERVIEWED AND A CHECK IS MADE TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THEY HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON PATRICK WILLIAMSON, SAID TODAY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MR SO HAD ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE HOW IT ENSURED THAT PERSONS REGISTERED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

AS REQUIRED BY LAW, HAD A RECORD OF GOOD CONDUCT AND WERE SUITABLE TO BE EMPLOYED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF OTHER PERSONS.

POLICY ON HOODING OF SUSPECTS EXPLAINED *****

THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE'S POLICY IS THAT HOODING OF SUSPECTS SHOULD ONLY BE CARRIED OUT IN CASES WHERE THE IDENTITY OF THE GUILTY PARTY MAY BE A MATTER FOR THE COURT TO RESOLVE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON PATRICK WILLIAMSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN, MR WILLIAMSON SAID HOODING WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED WHEN THE PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF A SUSPECT'S IDENTITY COULD PREJUDICE HIS CASE OR HIS SAFETY.

HE POINTED OUT THAT HOODING OF SUSPECTS WAS PROVIDED BY WAY OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS GENERAL ORDER, RATHER THAN BY REGULATIONS.

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