§ 36 and 37. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will require the Government of Hong Kong to translate the Public Order Bill, 1967 into Chinese;
(2) if he will ensure that the Government of Hong Kong do not make orders designed for dealing with emergencies into laws for protecting the peace in normal times, as is now being done in the case of the Public Order Bill, 1967.
§ Mr. WhitlockA series of articles in Chinese are to be published explaining the provisions of this legislation in simple language; these will include Chinese translations of important Sections of the Ordinance.
The legislation is not designed for dealing with emergencies. It strengthens and brings up to date the law relating to public order on lines to be found for the most part in legislation in other territories.
§ 39. Mr. A. Royleasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present economic situation in Hong Kong, following the recent devaluation and revaluation of the Hong Kong dollar.
§ Mr. WhitlockThe present position is that there has been no very marked effect on the general price level nor on the economy generally. It is too early to assess the full long-term effects.