§ 74. Mr. A. Royleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many detainees in Hong Kong held under Emergency Regulation 31 are non-British subjects; why non-British detainees have not been dealt with 87W under deportation and detention regulations; and if he will list the names of the members of the Committee of Review constituted under the emergency regulaions.
§ Mr. WhitlockFourteen of the detainees do not claim the status of British subjects. Their deportation is not regarded as a practical possibility; nor was it thought right to apply different laws and procedures to those implicated in last year's events because of their nationality.
I am not prepared to reveal the identity of members of the Committee of Review, because to do so would expose them to unnecessary personal risks.
§ 75. Mr. A. Royleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he proposes to amend the emergency regulations in Hong Kong in order that people detained for political reasons may have charges laid and their cases examined by law officers.
§ Mr. WhitlockPersons detained under the Emergency Regulations are held because their activities during last year's campaign of violence and disorder were such that they are regarded as a threat to security. In all cases they are informed of the reasons. Their cases have been carefully examined by law officers. Each case is regularly reviewed with a view to release as soon as security considerations warrant.