HC Deb 16 December 1968 vol 775 cc248-9W
Mr. Parkyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are being kept in prison in Hong Kong without trial; how long they have been interned; how many are Chinese and how many Hong Kong citizens; and if he will ask the Hong Kong Government either to release them or send them for trial.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Sixteen persons are at present held in Hong Kong under detention orders issued under Regulation 31 of the Emergency (Principal) Regulations. The orders have been in force for periods varying from six months to fifteen months in one case; this order having been renewed on its expiration. All the detainees are of Chinese race; six claim to have been born in Hong Kong. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle) on 10th December, 1968.—[Vol. 775, c.86–7.]

Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the number of Chinese journalists at present imprisoned in Hong Kong, the charges against them and the periods of sentence in each case; and whether any journalists are among the 30 or more Chinese at present held under detention in Hong Kong without trial.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

There are seven Chinese journalists now serving prison sentences in Hong Kong. Five of these were convicted on charges of uttering an inflammatory speech and of intimidating assembly. They each received a sentence of three years imprisonment. The sixth was convicted on charges of unlawful assembly; possession of an instrument fit for unlawful purposes; resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. He received a sentence of five years imprisonment. The seventh journalist was convicted on charges involving interference in court proceedings and of obstructing the police in the performance of their duties. He received a sentence of two years imprisonment.

Six other persons connected with the production and sale of newspapers are serving prison sentences. Five of these were convicted on various charges of sedition, attempting to cause disaffection and publishing false news. Each received a sentence of three years imprisonment. The sixth was convicted on a charge of possessing a simulated bomb and received a sentence of twenty-one months imprisonment.

There are no journalists among the sixteen persons now being detained under Emergency Regulations.