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Ordinance. As a result, we have recently agreed with the
Governor the terms of a draft amending Bill. This Bill
has received the provisional approval of the Hong Kong
Executive Council and has since been referred to certain
interested legal organisations in Hong Kong for their comments (see paragraphs 6 8 of Notes for Supplementaries).
It will be further considered in the light of any substantial
points raised by those organisations before its publication
and introduction into the Hong Kong Legislature for
enactment.
J
5. The Ordinance provides, inter alia, that with a very few exemptions no public meeting or procession may take
place without a licence granted by the Commissioner of
Police. In general the draft Bill envisages no change in this requirement, although it adds certain categories of public meetings to the list of exemptions (see paragraph 2 of Notes for Supplementaries). It does, however, seek to ameliorate those provisions of the Ordinance relating to public assemblies to the maximum extent compatible with
the overriding need to maintain control over public gatherings of all kinds; in so doing the draft Bill goes a very long way towards meeting the criticisms of "Justice".
6. In the particular circumstances of Hong Kong very large crowds can gather in a matter of moments. These conditions
lend themselves to exploitation by lawless elements. So long as there is a militant Communist element within the community it will be necessary to maintain on a permanent basis special safeguards for the preservation of public
order.
7. A draft answer to Mr. Rankin's Question is submitted. It is based on an exchange of telegrams with the Governor,
length His own suggested answer is well beyond the acceptable/for a reply to an oral Question.
сс
Mr. Godden
Merammar
(A. W. Gaminara) 4 December, 1969
[PRO]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.