CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO. 897
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
4 DECEMBER 1969
CONFIDENTIAL
32
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No.51
-4DEC 1969
HICK 14/1
ADDRESSED FCO TELNO. 897 OF 4TH DECEMBER.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 766.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION.
ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS IT WOULD PERHAPS BE PRUDENT
TO ASSUME THAT RANKIN MAY HAVE A COPY OF THE DRAFT BILL IN HIS
POSSESSION, AND SUPPLEMENTARIES MAY THEREFORE RELATE TO SPECIFIC
PROVISIONS MADE OR NOT MADE IN THE BILL.
2. IF YOU AGREE, I SHOULD PREFER THE REPLY TO BE ON SLIGHTLY
MORE FORTHCOMING LINES, AND I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING FOR CONSIDER-
ATION:-
33
THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD UNDER REVIEW VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC
ORDER ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH REGULATE PUBLIC MEETINGS,
PROCESSIONS AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY. THE REVIEW WAS INITIATED TO
TAKE ACCOUNT OF COMMENTS ON THE ORDINANCE MADE BY VARIOUS INTERESTED
PARTIES IN HONG KONG, AND I HAVE BEEN CONSULTED DURING THE REVIEW
PROCESS. A DRAFT BILL HAS BEEN PREPARED WITH THE PURPOSE OF
CLARIFYING SOME PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE ABOUT
WHICH DOUBT HAD BEEN EXPRESSED AND OF RELAXING OTHERS IN ORDER
TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC AGAINST ANY MISUSE OF
POWERS OR AGAINST THE POSSIBLE CONVICTION OF PERSONS INNOCENTLY
INVOLVED IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH CONSTITUTE OFFENCES UNDER THE
ORDINANCE. THE BILL HAS BEEN REFERRED FOR-COMMENT BY CERTAIN
INTERESTED BODIES IN HONG KONG. WHEN THEIR COMMENTS HAVE BEEN
RECEIVED AND CONSIDERED THE USUAL PROCESS OF PUBLICATION OF THE
CONFIDENTIAL
/BILL
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