timing of the publication of the legislation gave inadequr te
notice. It was in fact published nearly six weeks before ite
enactment which is considered to be adequate time for any
representations to be made,
Fowers of Detention
The Governor has summary povers to detain aliens pending
deportation. These powers are normal and internationally
accepted; in Britain they are exercised by the Home Secretary.
In addition the Governor has pote to order continued
detention of aliens whose deportation is impracticable.
These
are necessary in Hong Kong because of the refusal of China to scoopt
the return of known or convicted criminals.
The powers ure of
particuler importance in combatting the sctivities of Chinese
criminal and secret societies whose avil influence in the community
in such that it is rarely possible to get witnesses to testify
against thee in open court. Their main activities are extortion,
protection r ckets and narcotica trafficking.
The popers have also
been used in the recent eeergency to qurb the violent activities
of those local communists who are not British subjects.
The cases of all pereons in detention under these pozera are
raviored at periods of not more than twelve months.
(For the Winister's own information. Nobody has been detained under
these powers for longer than two years; but this in
information which the Governor has specifically asked us not to meke public).
In the present emergency the Governor has brought into force
Regulation 31 of the Principal mergency Legulations empowering
the detention of British subjects without trial in the publie
interest for a pe jod not exceeding one year.
This is the deunl
special power asnused by Governments in times of emergency,
Theme powers of detention are directed against those few
persons in the Colony who are organising the present campaign of
terroriss
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