timing of the publicstion of the legislation gave inadequɛte
notice. It was in fact published nearly six weeks before its
anactment which is considered to be adequate time for any
representations to be made.
Fowers of Detention
The Gove: nor has summary powers 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 powe a to order continued
detention of aliens whose deportation is impracticable.
are necessary in Ron, Kong because of the refusal of China to accept
the return of known or convicted criminals.
These
The powers are of
particular importance in ecmbatting the sotivities of Chinese
criminal and secret societies whose evil influence in the communi ty
is such that it is rarely possible to get witnesses to testify
against them in open court. Their main activities are extortion,
protection rekete and narcotics trafficking. The powers have also
been used in the recent ezergency to curb the violent activities
of those local communists who are not British subjects.
The cases of all persons in detention under these powers are
reviewed at periods of not more than twelve months.
(For the Ministeria om information. Nobody has been detained under
these powera for longer than two years;
but this is
information which the Governor has specifically asked us not to make public).
In the present mergency the Governor has brought into force
Regulation 31 of the Principal Amergency Eegulations empowering
the detention of British subjects without trial in the publie
interest for a pe lod not exceeding one year. This is the usual
special power assumed by Governments in times of emergency.
These powers of detention are directed against those few
persons in the Colony who are organising the present campaign of
/terrorism ...
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