TNAG-0438-FCO40-503-Visits-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament--to-Hong-Kong-including-v-1974 — Page 77

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Alignment therefore entailed giving preferences to Hong Kong's competitors

amongst the developing countries, who benefit under the Community GSP

thereby discriminating against Hong Kong. Politically it is difficult

for us to justify discrimination against our own Colony in favour of

her competitors. In November 1973 the Chancellor of the Duchy of

Lancaster put it on record in Brussels that we would press resolutely

for inclusion of Hong Kong in the EEC GSP on the same basis as her

competitors from 1975 onwards.

6.

CRIME IN HONG KONG

Over the last four years figures for violent crime, including

homicide, have been increasing rapidly. The proportion of young

people committing violent crime has also been increasing.

Over the past two years the Governor has introduced and is intro-

ducing 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 de tention provisions; a substantial rise in

police pay and increased recruitment; and a successful recruitment cam-

paign to add to the strength of the Auxiliary Police. The Governor also

hopes to increase community involvement and a "Fight Violent Crime" cam-

paign has recently been conducted in Hong Kong.

The indications over recent months are that the situation is at

least being contained. In the past there has been criticism that

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4.