§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to improve police techniques, procedures and organisation in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EnnalsThese include the introduction of neighbourhood policing units and greater emphasis on community liaison. Reporting procedures have been revised to enable the public to report crime more easily. The CID has been reorganised; computerisation introduced; and steps taken to relieve the regular police of responsibility for routine work.
§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs wht steps have been taken to mobilise people in neighbourhoods to assist each other and the police to deter crime in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Government have encouraged the development of mutual aid committees and area committees to improve community spirit and co-operation between residents, with particular regard to anti-crime measures. These, complemented by traditional neighbourhood associations, liaise closely with the police in deterring crime in their neighbourhoods.
§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to remedy the overcrowding in prisons in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EnnalsAction is already being taken. This year, three additional prison institutions, with a total capacity for 1,165 prisoners, have opened, and another for 400 will open later this year. A further prison institution is being planned.
§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the detention centres in Hong Kong, now that they have completed their first two years in operation.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe results are encouraging. From June 1972 to June 1974, 948 young offenders were admitted, with an average length of stay of four months. 619 have been released, of whom only 147W 26 were reconvicted during the subsequent six months mandatory period of supervision, and 23 reconvicted thereafter.