TNAG-2490-FCO40-3622-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 205

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

MON 06 APR 92 10:59

PG.07

CONFIDENTIAL

6.

Societies Ordinance

12.

Q.

At present there is a requirement to register

societies under the Societies Ordinance and the

Registrar, after consultation with the Chief Secretary, may refuse to register a society if he

is satisfied that the society is a branch of or

affiliated to or is connected with any

organisation or group of a political nature

is

established outside of Hong Kong? This is similar

to one of the prohibitions under Article 23 of the

Basic Law, Are there any plans to amend the

Societies Ordinance?

A,

We intend to amend the Societies Ordinance to

replace the present registration system with a

notification system. But we will retain the

ability to prohibit a society on the grounds of

public order or security.

CONFIDENTIAL