PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC SECURITY ORDINANCE (Outstanding Appeals)

Mr D. S. Marshall asked the Chief Secretary-

(a) how many outstanding appeals there are at present in respect of Orders made under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance (No. 25 of 1955) and the date of each appeal;

(b) how many appeals are outstanding-

(i) for more than two months;

(ii) for more than three months;

(iii) for more than four months:

(iv) for more than five months;

(v) for more than six months; and

(c) what action he is taking to provide facilities to enable these appeals to be dealt with speedily.

Mr Stewart: Mr Speaker, Sir, in regard to (a) of the question, there are 106 appeals outstanding - 73 against Detention Orders and 33 against suspension of Detention Orders. Three persons have appeals outstanding against Detention Orders as well as Suspension Orders. Because reading out the date of each outstanding appeal will take up the Assembly's time unduly, I will supply the hon. Member with a written statement on the dates as soon as possible.

With regard to part (b) of the question, the question can more suitably be answered as follows:

(1) Appeals outstanding for up to three months are 22 appeals against Suspension Orders which have been outstanding for about a month.

(2) Appeals outstanding for up to four months are one appeal against a Dentention Order and 11 against Suspension Orders.

(3) Appeals outstanding for up to five months are 71 appeals in respect of Detention Orders.

(4) There is one appeal against a Detention Order outstanding for more than five but less than six months.

(5) There are no appeals outstanding for more than six months.

With regard to part (c) of the question, Sir, I am hopeful that all outstanding appeals by persons who are still detained will have been disposed of by the end of May this year.