instruments.
First there are the Emergency Regulations which give sweeping and comprehensive powers to the Governor. there are the British Armed Forces.
Second,
I have detailed these restrictions of freedom because the Labour Government has responsibility for the continuation of this state of affairs in Hong Kong.
However, I want to specifically raise with you the arrest of six socialists last year who were protesting at the increase in Hong Kong's defence spending on the arrival of William Rodgers. I would like you to consider raising a question in the House of Commons on this particular issue.
The details are as follows:·
(i) On October 27th 1975, six members of the Revolutionary Marxist League were arrested for handing out leaflets protesting against the possible 300% - 400% increase in defence expenditure beginning in April 1976. The leaflets called for the withdrawal of British troops from Hong Kong.
(ii) The arrests coincided with the arrival of William Rodgers who had come to Hong Kong to persuade the Hong Kong "Government" into taking up most of the defence costs in upkeeping the Hong Kong British garrison which has been mainly · supported by the British Government in previous years.
(iii) The Government has managed to shift the defence budget onto the shoulders of Hong Kong as part of Britain's plans to reduce military spending East of the Suez.
(iv) The number of British soldiers stationed in Hong Kong now stands at 3,700. To maintain them, Britain and Hong Kong have been jointly spending £40 million each year. 1975 Hong Kong's social welfare budget was £30 million.
In
Marxist
I know very little of the policies of the Revolutionary League although I do know that they have consistently called for the withdrawal of British troops and opposed the increase in defence spending by the Hong Kong Government.
I believe we have a duty in the British Labour Movment to support socialists in other countries in their struggle. Hong Kong, as a British colony, comes under the jurisdiction of the British
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