MEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER CAT LA
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51
PM HONG KONG 240325Z M
2
CONFIDENTIAL
97
HKK 14/16
PA 25/3
13 در حقيقة
R&F.
T. IMMEDIATE F.C.0. TELEGRAM NC. 291 CF 24TH MARCH 1971.
MY TELEGRAM NO. 169. CORPORAL FUNISHMENT.
THE BILL PAS TUBLISHED ON FRIDAY 12TH MARCH AND HAS RECEIVED M CRITICISM BUT ON THE OTHER HAND VERY WIDESPREAD PUBLIC SUPPORT. THE INITIATIVE FOR THESE AMENDMENTS AROSE FROM A QUESTION BY AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE BILL INTRODUCES NO NEW PRINCIPLE, AND DOES NOT LIMIT OR EXTEND IN ANY WAY THE DISCRETION OF THE COURTS. IT MERELY ADDS FOUR OFFENCES INVOLVING VIOLENCE TO THE LIST OF THOSE OFFENCES FOR WHICH CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CAN ALREADY BE IMPOSED ON MALES OVER THE AGE OF 16. THE PARTICULAR OFFENCES ARE THOSE WHICH ARE CAUSING MYSELF, THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC THE VERY GRAVEST CONCERN AT THIS TIME, AND INCIDENTALLY THE BILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE. IT MUST ALSO BE REMEMBERED THAT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS TRADITIONAL TO THE CHINESE AND IS NOT REGARDED BY THEM WITH THE DISFAVOUR THAT
IT IS IN WESTERN COUNTRIES.
2. THE BILL IS DOWN FOR ITS FIRST AND SECOND READINGS TODAY, BUT THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING WILL BE ADJOURNED FOR A FORTNIGHT. I TRUST THIS WILL MEET YOUR POINT, AND I HOPE YOU WILL LET ME HAVE YOUR FURTHER VIEWS WELL WITHIN THAT PERIOD.
3.
YOU MAY WISH TO KNOW THAT ONE CLAUSE IN THE BILL WHICH IS NOW UNDER FRESH CONSIDERATION IS THE PROVISION THAT FURTHER
OFFENCES CAN BE ADDED TO THE SCHEDULE BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RATHER THAN BY THE LEGISLATIVE, WHICH MIGHT BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
TRENCH
FILES
HKD
LEGAL ADVISERS
SIR L MONSON
MR WILFORD
COPY TO
UN DEPT
CONRINENUTAT.
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