TNAG-1364-FCO40-1810-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1986 — Page 114

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submissions that argument found favour with magistrates.

I

However, Sir, I shall reflect on Mr. Wong's point and find out

if this part of the section is much used in practice If we had to

consider any amendments to this section, Mr. Wong's concern would

certainly be addressed at that time.

Mr. Martin Lee:- In view of recent criticisms of the law of loitering

by eminent lawyers from both branches of the legal profession does

the honourable and learned Attorney General think it desirable to

refer this matter to the Law Reform Commission of which he is Chairman

on the understanding that if he does so I will volunteer to chair the

sub-committee? (laughter)

The Attorney General:- I shall certainly take note of my learned friend's

willingness to participate fully in the work of any of the sub-committee formed

on the subject. My friend generalises about the views of the professions on

this and there have been a number of different views which it would be

impossible to accommodate, I think, even in one working group chaired by

my friend. So for the moment I think that the matter that is raised by

the decision of the Court of Appeal is the most urgent consideration

in view of the fact that if the Privy Council decline to hear an

appeal or decide an appeal against the Crown then it is inevitable

that there would have been changes in police procedures and, indeed

one would have thought, possible amendments to the law.

would be the duty of the Government to give urgent consideration to

those matters and I think that the time it would take for the Law Reform

Commission sub-committee to consider and come up with recommendations

would leave the community too long at risk without proper preventive

powers in the hands of the police.

I think it