TNAG-0366-FCO40-412-Visits-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-to-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 113

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happen for a long time. We therefore have every confidence in the continuing development of Hong Kong for the foreseeable future.

CHINESE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG

In February 1956 the Chinese Government proposed that a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be established in Hong Kong. In February 1958 the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the Chargé d'Affaires that we could not agree to the proposal. The Chinese Government revived their proposal in March 1972. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and Mr Royle discussed the subject with members of the Chinese Government during their visits to Peking in 1972. Lady Tweedsmuir answered a Parliamentary Question in the House of Lords on 9 May on this subject. In our view the Chinese proposal would give rise to certain problems and for this reason it is most important that it should be carefully and comprehensively studied, taking into account not only factors of particular relevance to Hong Kong but also those of more general importance affecting Sino-British relations in their fullest sense. Our study is not yet complete.

CRIME IN HONG KONG

The Governor is concerned at recent trends in crime statistics in Hong Kong. Over the last four years violent crime has increased by about 140%, including homicide by 130%, with the percentage increases of 1972 over 1971 being 27% and 17% respectively. The proportion of young people committing violent crime is also increasing.

Over the past twelve months the Governor has introduced and is introducing a wide series of measures designed to combat this trend. Two major changes were introduced last year. The first was the right of the Crown to appeal to the Supreme Court against sentences it considers inadequate. The second was the establishment of a Detention Centre for young people designed to subject new young offenders to a short but rather sharp form of punishment. Other recent measures include the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for the possession of offensive weapons in a public place; new maximum sentencing powers for magistrates; new preventive detention provisions; a substantial rise in police pay and increased recruitment; and a successful recruitment campaign to add to the strength of the Auxiliary Police. The Governor also hopes to increase community involve- ment and has just launched a "Fight Violent Crime" campaign.

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