TNAG-0292-FCO40-328-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-bomb-attacks-and-threats-1971 — Page 22

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Saturday, August 7, 1971

In the past one difficulty applicants had in arranging public

meetings was that of finding sites where these could take place without

unduly interfering with other members of the public.

The Government therefore asked the Urban Council to look again

at the position as it felt there is a need to have suitable sites for

this purpose.

The Council considered that football pitches should be used

for the purposes for which they were developed. Its Recreation and

Amenities Select Committee nevertheless accepted Government's view that

they might sometimes be the most advantageous sites for outdoor public

meetings, and agreed to all the four now chosen.

Applications for use of these areas must be made at least

seven days in advance with the date of the proposed meeting or demonstration

being stated. The applicant has also to specify which site he wants to

use, adding an alternative site acceptable to him if the first one is

unavailable.

There is no change in the law regarding public meetings or

demonstrations and meetings to be held at any of these five locations

must be conducted in accordance with the law.

If an approved meeting appears to be getting out of hand the

Commissioner of Police may have to terminate it and advise people to return

to their homes.

The decision to make these five sites available for group meetings

and peaceful demonstrations is quite separate from other suggestions which

have been made to provide a "Speaker's Corner" in Hong Kong. This is still

under consideration.

/The Colonial