XN000022-1995-11-08 — Page 52

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(b) The Police have a general power under section 6(b) of the Public Order Ordinance to control and direct the conduct of all public gatherings and specify the route by which any public procession may pass. Under section 45 of the Ordinance, any police officer may use such force as may be reasonably necessary to overcome any resistance to the exercise of this and other powers conferred by the Ordinance. The Police also have a duty under section 10 of the Police Force Ordinance to take lawful measures for preserving public peace and safety, for regulating processions and assemblies in public places, and for controlling traffic on and removing obstructions from public thoroughfares. These provisions are consistent with Article 17 of the Bill of Rights which recognises the right of peaceful assembly, while permitting restrictions on the exercise of that right which are in conformity with the law and which are necessary in the interests of, among other things, public safety or public order.

(c) The Police have so far received two complaints of assault by police officers during the two incidents on 28 September and 29 September respectively. Since these two.complaints are under investigation, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on them, as to do so could prejudice investigation of the complaint. I should add, in this context, that 10 police officers sustained injuries during these two incidents.

(d) It is the normal practice for the Police to conduct an internal review after each major operation. The experience of these two incidents will be taken into account in planning future operations.

End/Wednesday, November 8, 1995

Clearance of squatter areas

**

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Kam-lani and a reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a) the number of squatters in the territory which have yet to be cleared and their location;