TNAG-0397-FCO40-443-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 144

Reference...........

37

lagrão

ARR

AR Rushford (Legal Advisers K 188)

cc Roger Brown (News Dept.)

NEW BILLS IN HONG KONG

The attached article in today's Times was

discussed at the Under-Secretaries meeting this

morning. Mr Wilford has asked us to send copies

to you and Sir Vincent Evans I have timed a

separate copy to Sir Vincent.

I understand from Private Office that the

reply from the Secretary of State to Lord Gardiner

has now issued.

News Department is being asked to comment by

the Times. Subject to your views, we would suggest

they might say:

(i)

The Secretary of State has replied to Lord

Gardiner;

286. (ii) The object of the Hong Kong legislation is

para 2 of HK tel No 668

(iii)

(iv)

to speed up the handling of serious cases

without overburdening the Supreme Court;

That the Second Reading of the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill, to which lawyers were objecting, has been adjourned so that the question can be reconsidered.

The other three Bills were given their Third

Readings on 20 June: the District Court (Amendment) Bill, the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and the Public Order (Amendment) Bill. Certain amendments

were made to these Bills in Committee

Stage. These amendments were made locally in Hong Kong, not through pressure from here.

P.M. Kelly

P. M. Kelly (Miss)

HKIOD

(17293) 897465 400m 1/73 G.W.B.Ltd, Gp.863

28 June 1973