§ 34. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have now been made in the Hong Kong Public Order Ordinance regarding the extent to which the burden of proof is placed on the authorities.
§ Mr. FoleyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary gave to him on 19th December, 1968.—[Vol. 775, c. 451.]
§ Mr. AllaunDid not the reply say that certain changes were under consideration? Was this a pious hope or is there to be any amendment to ensure that the burden of truth lies with the authorities?
§ Mr. FoleyI assure my hon. Friend that there is no pious hope. It is a reality. The question of time has been considered in examining the Ordinance and bringing it up to date in terms of the representations which have been made to us so that we may ensure that the matter is got right and is amended adequately.
§ Mr. RankinCan my hon. Friend say how many people in Hong Kong are still in gaol without any charge having been preferred against them?
§ Mr. A. RoyleWill the Minister resist pressure for the Hong Kong Government to alter or amend the Emergency Regulations until the Governor is satisfied that the situation is good enough to enable him to make such alterations?
§ Mr. FoleyWe are talking about two distinct matters. There are some elements of the Emergency Regulations included in the Ordinance. Under examination is the Ordinance itself.