TNAG-1859-FCO40-2634-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 26

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 October 1989

香港立法局 一九八九年十月十八日

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for the expansion of first-year first-degree places, involve a doubling of such places between 1989-90 and 1994-95. This year we have some 6 800 first-year first-degree places in our tertiary institutions meeting about 8% of the relevant age-group. By 1994 our target is to achieve something of the order of 15 000 places, or over 18% of the age-group. The order of increase involved is nearly 120% representing an average annual growth rate of 17%.

MR. McGREGOR: Sir, will the Government confirm that according to government figures less than 10% of the emigrants from Hong Kong return here?

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I do not have an accurate figure to enable me to answer that question. I have heard the figure of 10% and I believe it to be reasonably accurate.

The case of E.C. HARRIS

5. MRS. TU asked: Will the Attorney General inform this Council how he came to the decision not to prosecute a former Senior Crown Counsel for alleged incitement to procure young girls for sexual offences and whether during his deliberation, he took full account of the interests of the public, particularly those of possible victims?

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Sir, I am grateful to have, at last, the opportunity to answer in this Council the concerns that have been expressed over this case. As I have said elsewhere, in the performance of my functions I am accountable to the public through this Council sitting in open session.

On 26 April 1989, the police submitted to the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. A.P. DUCKETT, papers containing allegations against Mr. E. C. HARRIS, a Senior Crown Counsel then serving in the Prosecutions Division of my chambers. On that same day, Mr. DUCKETT brought those allegations to my attention. I immediately directed that advice be sought from an eminent Queen's Counsel in the private sector. This direction accords with the practice adopted when allegations of criminal conduct fall to be considered in relation to any professional officer within my chambers.

At this point, let me make it quite clear that leading counsel was sent the complete police file delivered to Mr. DUCKETT on 26 April 1989. That file