§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 264W if he will make a statement on the recently announced amnesty to the Hong Kong Police Force.
§ Dr. OwenI fully endorse the Governor's decision to grant an amnesty and his subsequent refusal to extent it.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions were held with his office concerning the recent amnesty on corruption cases in Hong Kong.
§ Dr. OwenThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office was kept fully informed of the decisions taken by the Governor.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions were held with the Executive Council on the recent amnesty declared in Hong Kong.
§ Dr. OwenIn view of the urgency of the situation it was not possible to consult the Executive Council before the decision to grant the amnesty was taken.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers have been tried by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong to the latest available date; and how many were convicted and how many cleared.
§ Dr. OwenThe Independent Commission Against Corruption has no judicial powers. However, between 14th February 1974, when the Commission was established, and 10th November 1977, the numbers of police officers awaiting trial, convicted or acquitted by the criminal courts on charges brought by the Commission were:
Convicted … … … 129 Acquitted … … … 79 Awaiting trial … … … 52
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers are awaiting trial under the Independent Commission Against Corruption ordinance in Hong Kong to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many corrupt syndicates are under 265W investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong at present.
§ Dr. OwenSeven cases in which there are allegations of conspiracy by police officers to accept bribes are under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if police officers already being interviewed or investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption are included in the recent amnesty.
§ Dr. OwenA suspect who has already been interviewed by the Commission is excluded if allegations that he has committed an offence were put to him before 5th November 1977.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if persons who have had warrants issued for their arrest under the Independent Commission Against Corruption ordinanance are included in the recent amnesty.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what offences are excluded from the recent amnesty declared in Hong Kong.
§ Dr. OwenThe terms of the Governor's announcement are that the Independent Commission Against Corruption will not take action on complaints or evidence relating to corruption offences committed before 1st January 1977 unless: (a) the suspect was interviewed by the Commission before 5th November 1977 and allegations that he had committed an offence were put to him or; (b) a warrant of arrest had been issued before 5th November 1977 or; (c) the suspect was out of Hong Kong on 5th November 1977 or; (d) it is a case which the Governor considers to be particularly heinous.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what provisions of which ordinance the recent offer of amnesty on corruption cases in Hong Kong was made.
§ Mr. LuardThe Governor relied on his general authority to give orders and266W directions to the Commissioner Against Corruption under Article 5 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance.