TNAG-0911-FCO40-1121-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 67

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7. On 7 January a group of boat dwellers with a number of other sympathisers assembled to go to the Governor's residence to present a petition. Again they were warned that, since no permit had been obtained, their action was unlawful. This time they declined to disperse, and instead set out in two coaches to present their petition. Along the way the coaches were stopped by the police and the occupants were told that while two representatives could pro- ceed to present their petition, the rest of them must disperse. When they declined to do so, the police escorted the coaches to a police station and charged the occupants with unlawful assembly. The 76 people concerned appeared in court on 8 January. No evidence was offered against the 10 children involved. The 66 adults appeared for trial on 12 February. They were all found guilty as charged. The 56 of them who were boat people were given absolute discharges with no conviction recorded. The others were bound over in the sum of HK$300 each (approximately £31.50) to be of good behaviour for a period of 18 months.

8. Well established arrangements exist in Hong Kong for obtaining permits to hold public demonstrations. The police require one week's notice, but normally issue permits provided they are satisfied that the demonstrations are not to be held for illegal or immoral purposes, and will not represent a threat to public order. It is not necessary to obtain permission to present a petition to the Governor, provided it is not done as part of a public demonstration. All residents of

Hong Kong have an unqualified right to make petitions to the Governor on any matters of public or private concern.

Drownings of Boat People

9.

Statistics on drowning are only available as a total figure for the whole of the territory irrespective of residence. Extrapolation

of those involving boat people would require an inordinate effort. Relying purely on memory, the Hong Kong Government have suggested a figure of three drownings of people living on boats in typhoon shelters in the last two years. However, in the document entitled "The Yaumati Boat People Issue in Hong Kong" sent to Lord Goronwy- Roberts by SOCO, mention is made of five children having drowned.

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