HC Deb 25 May 1949 vol 465 cc1247-9
26. Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the murder of the two police inspectors in Hong Kong.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Rees-Williams)

Yes, Sir. As the statement is rather long I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Gammans

Could the Under-Secretary make this point clear: is there any suspicion that these murders took place as a result of Communist instigation either from within or outside the Colony? Is this the beginning of what happened in Malaya about a year ago?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I am informed that there is no evidence of that. It was a bandit raid and had no political significance.

Major Legge-Bourke

On a point of Order. Is there no way in which we can ask the Minister to let us have the statement now? This matter concerns the lives of British subjects in an important theatre of operations.

Mr. Speaker

That is a matter for the Minister.

Mr. Eden

Might the statement be given after Questions?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I will certainly give it after Questions.

At the end of Questions—

Mr. Rees-Williams

At about 2.30 a.m. on 6th May, Inspector R. F. C. Olivier, Sub-Inspector L. Haynes and Detective Corporal Wong Kam, of the Hong Kong Police, were murdered as they slept aboard a police cruising launch secured at anchor for the night at Port Island in Mirs Bay in the N.E. territorial waters of the Colony. The coxswain was then wounded and compelled to steam the launch to a point in Chinese territory about one mile from the frontier where it was boarded by 16 men who made off with part of the armament.

It appears that one of the seamen of the launch had become friendly with a bandit gang that operates in Chinese territory not far from the Hong Kong frontier, and had concealed two members of the gang in the launch 36 hours before she left Kowloon. It is probable that he had persuaded the second seaman, a clansman of his, to assist him. There is no reason to suppose that the murders have a political background or that they form part of a larger plot.

Strenuous efforts are being made to trace the murderers and a large reward has been offered; the safe from the launch and all the weapons it contained have been recovered.

I have seen a report that Chinese Nationalist forces have killed three bandits said to have been responsible for the murder of Hong Kong police officers. My right hon. Friend has not yet heard from the Governor whether or not these are the murderers in question.

Major Legge-Bourke

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the drivers of the launch, the two men mainly responsible, were sworn members of the Hong Kong Police or not?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I understand that they were seamen employed by the Police Department in connection with duties on the launch.

Major Legge-Bourke

Were they sworn members of the police?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman had better put that Question down. I could not answer it now.