§ 29. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his reasons for putting into effect in Hong Kong Article 99 of the Emergency Regulations, 1945, which empowers the police to search civilian houses, intercept and search transport, arrest residents and confiscate their personal belongings, goods and documents.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI presume that the hon. Member is referring to Regulation 99 of the Emergency (Principal) Regulations, 1949. It was brought into force by the Governor of Hong Kong, on the advice of his Executive Council, to meet the abnormal conditions created by the presence of the very large refugee population in Hong Kong.
Serious attacks on the police and the difficulty of locating in advance illegal arms and home-made bombs has made this Regulation essential if the police are to carry out their duties promptly and effectively.
The powers in question would be used only with the specific authority of a senior police officer.