TNAG-2004-FCO40-2852-Hong-Kong-political-parties-1990 — Page 26

FOR PRU USE ONLY

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

HOUSE OF COMMONS: FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

HEAD OF

Please submit:

HKD

a draft answer and background

to Parliamentary Relations Unit before NOON 25/7/90

DATE TABLE

23/7/90

WHITE O.P. DATE

FOR

26/7/90

QUESTION

PRIORITY

WRITTEN ANSWER ON

26/7/90

SERIAL NO:

3005

W

52

MR CLIVE SOLEY [HAMMERSMITH]

To ask the Secretary of State:

what assessment he has made of the effect on civil and political rights in Hong Kong of the recent

prosecutions under the Summary Offences Ordinance.

MKB 011 IS

RECEIVER

TO PS/

THE EARL of CAITANESS

(Minister)

for approval by

NOON 26 JUL 1990

PQs

Reply

FOR ANSWER BY

MR LENNOX - BOYD

ANSWER

31 JUL 1990

дин

(Minister)

It would not be appropriate for() to comment on the details of specific cases at this stage since the matter is sub-judice pending the outcome of current court hearings.

But

tld it would not be right to view the current controls on the use of loudspeakers in public and the public collection of money as an infringement of civil liberties. These laws are of long standing and are widely understood, and supported, in the community. It should be noted that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provide that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly may be subject to restrictions necessary, inter alia, for the respect and protection of the rights and freedoms of others. The restriction on the use of loudspeakers is imposed very much with this in mind as excessive noise ina public place may create nuisance for members of the community.

Copy to:

Private Secretary

PS/M2 LENNOX-BOYD

(Minister)

Parliamentary Clerk

Authorised

R. Maroda

(Head of Dept)