§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current incidence of tuberculosis in Hong Kong; and how the colony compares in this respect with other Asian countries, in so far as statistics are available through World Health Organisation.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe incidence of tuberculosis in Hong Kong has declined from 206.5 per 100,000 in 1972 to 187.6 per 100,000 in 1975. The figures for other Asian countries in 1972, the latest year for which information is available, were as follows:
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Japan … … 137.5 Malaysia (West) … … 107.3 Philippines … … 351.0 Singapore … … 144.6 Sri Lanka … … 122.4
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of drug addiction in Hong Kong; and what steps are being taken to combat it.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe number of drug addicts in Hong Kong is currently estimated to be between 80,000 and 100,000. The Hong Kong Government's objective is to prevent the illicit trafficking of drugs into and through Hong Kong and to eradicate drug abuse. This policy is pursued by means of international co-operation, law enforcement measures, the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts and preventive education and research.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct the Governor of Hong Kong to disarm the civil police.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo. While the matter is kept under regular review there is considered to be a continuing need for the arming of police officers likely to come into contact with violent criminals. There were 591 assaults on police officers in 1975.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present laws on freedom of assembly in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Hong Kong Public Order Ordinance provides that any meeting held in a public place requires a licence from the Commissioner of Police. Licences are issued provided that a meeting is not for an unlawful purpose or is not likely to prejudice the maintenance of public order. To facilitate the holding of public meetings six locations in the urban areas have been designated as suitable for this purpose and the Police Commissioner will rarely refuse a licence for a public meeting in these locations. There is no restriction on private meetings.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set up a special inquiry into monopoly practices in banking, projects and trading in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo. I see no need for a special inquiry into banking projects or trading in Hong Kong.
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§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the length of tenure of office of each of the official members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EnnalsDates of substantive appointments to the Legislative Council are
Colonial Secretary, 30th September 1973.Financial Secretary, 1st July 1971.Secretary for Home Affairs, 15th November 1973.Attorney General, 30th September 1973.Secretary for the Environment, 4th June 1973.Director of Medical and Health Services,2nd July 1970.Secretary for Housing, 20th June 1973.Director of Commerce and Industry, 20th June 1973.Secretary for Social Services, 13th September 1973.Secretary for the New Territories, 10th April 1974.Secretary for Security, 13th March 1974.Director of Public Works, 13th February 1974.Director of Education, 16th October 1974.Commissioner for Labour, 16th October 1974.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in the light of recent public statements by the Governor of Hong Kong about the extent of corruption in the colony, what additional steps are being taken to stamp this out.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Independent Commission Against Corruption, which began operations in February 1974, has made impressive progress. It is proposed that the financial provision for the Commission's work should be increased to Hong Kong $38 million in 1976–77, an increase of Hong Kong $13 million or 52 per cent., as compared with 1975–76. This will allow for more intensive investigations by the Operations Department and for filling all the posts in the Community Relations Department.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now instruct the Governor of Hong Kong to submit a detailed annual return of the social, economic and political affairs of the colony, as used to be required annually before 1967.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo. The Governor of Hong Kong keeps Her Majesty's Government fully informed about the social, economic and political affairs of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Annual Report, 753W the reports of individual Departments and other Government publications provide full information about the affairs of the colony.