§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if action against the illegal drug traffic in Hong Kong is continuing to make progress; and if there is any evidence to indicate that supplies of drugs are being cut off.
§ Mr. HattersleySatisfactory progress is being maintained. During the last 18 months, almost £12 million worth of drugs has been seized, 11 heroin refineries have been neutralised and 58 major arrests have been made. Despite this success, there is no real evidence that supplies of drugs to Hong Kong have been cut off.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which items mentioned in the speech of His Excellency Sir Murray MacLehose, at the Legislative Council for Hong Kong on 16th October 1974, as proposals for the improvement of facilities in the field of health, education 313W and welfare, have been postponed and which have been cancelled as the result of Budget cuts announced in March 1975.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe Hong Kong Government is expected this year to spend over HK$200 million more on health, education and social welfare than in 1974–75, an increase of almost 11 per cent. No items have been cancelled. Major items postponed are the opening of a new hospital and related clinics for six months, and capital works in respect of the universities and some secondary schools for one year.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the collapse of the Paul Lee engineering firm in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. HattersleyIn October 1974, inspectors were appointed to investigate the affairs of the company. In the light of the inspectors' interim report, the Financial Secretary petitioned, and the court ordered, that the company be wound up under the provisions of the Companies Ordinance. The matter is now under investigation by the police.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate steps to provide for the reform of company law in Hong Kong to bring regulations on disclosure and company accounts into line with current practice in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HattersleyWith effect from October 1975, the relevant Hong Kong law will be similar to that in Britain, with only some variations. These relate mainly to private companies, which with some exceptions need not comply with the new accounting provisions, and to the disclosure of directors' interests, where the requirements are less detailed.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers have failed to report for duty in the Royal Hong Kong Police, following the commencement of investigations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption; and if he will indicate their ranks.
§ Mr. HattersleyThree station sergeants, four sergeants and one constable314W have failed to report for duty following the commencement of investigations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Royal Hong Kong Police are still equipped with DM gas; and in what circumstances it is envisaged that it would be used.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe Royal Hong Kong Police Force is not equipped with DM gas.