TNAG-0104-FCO40-140-Discussions-with-Governor-during-his-visits-to-UK-1969 — Page 87

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19.

CHEMICAL HACE

The Governor explained that mace was not generally issued to the Hong Kong Police Force and was only used in special circumstances. The type of mace used in Hong Kong was different from that which had received adverse reports from the Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defence (Army). He did not consider that mace should be withdrawn altogether

Para 14.0 from the Police Force.

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Mr. Macoun thought that there was some doubt whether, in fact, the mace used in Hong Kong was harmless, and he considered that the scientists' final report should be awaited before coming to any final conclusion. Meanwhile, he considered that mace should not be a personal issue to the Hong Kong Police Force. He undertook to write to the Commissioner of Police, Hong Kong, on the subject,

COMMUNIST PRESS

21.

The Governor said that the communist press in Hong Kong was still publishing some fifty seditious statements a month as against the fifty a day that they had published during the disturbances last year. Some communist newspapers were in financial difficulties and their circulation was slightly down on last year. A study was being made in Hong Kong of the various provisions of the law relating to the control of publications. It might be found possible to dismantle the Control of Publications Ordinance and provide for the necessary controls in other legislation. He undertook to keep the department informed of progress in this matter.

Hong Kong Department

6 November, 1968

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