PEOPLE WITH TATTOO MARKS

Mr R. Jumabhoy asked the Chief Secretary what steps, if any, are being taken to protect innocent people with tattoo marks on their bodies from being arrested.

Mr W. A. C. Goode: Persons are not interrogated by the Police merely because they bear tattoo marks. They are only detained for questioning if they are suspected to be acting or to have acted as members of unlawful societies, and any such person with a tattoo mark which is the insignia of an unlawful society is presumed, according to law, to be a member of that unlawful society until the contrary is proved. Comprehensive measures have been taken to ensure that persons who inadvertently bear these particular tattoo marks are not questioned again. The name and identity card number of the person concerned are circulated to all Police Divisions and Branches to prevent that person being again questioned. The same procedure is adopted in the cases of persons who were formerly members of secret societies against whom there is no evidence of recent secret society activity. Since 16th July, 1956, when "Operation Dagger" was launched, 276 persons have voluntarily subjected themselves to screening and their names have been accordingly circulated to all Police Divisions and Branches. The success of these measures is shown by the fact that between 16th July, 1956, and 28th August, 1956, only two suspects are known to have been detained twice for questioning, and neither of these was among these 276 persons.