PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC SECURITY ORDINANCE, 1955 (Detentions; Releases; Banishments)

Mr Seah Peng Chuan asked the Chief Secretary to state -

(a) the number of persons detained under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance, 1955, from October, 1955, up to a latest convenient date;

(b) how many of those detainees the Government has released and intends to release, giving their names; and

(c) how many of those detainees the Government has banished and intends to banish, giving their names and occupations at the time of their arrests, and the destinations of banishment.

Mr E. B. David: (a) Up to the 31st August this year detention orders under this Ordinance had been issued against 372 persons.

(b) 244 of these persons have been released.

(c) 7 of these persons have been banished and were sent to China. Banishment orders have been made against a further 47. Banishment orders do not specify any place of destination. Unless the person concerned specifies any particular country to which he has a valid entry, he is put on a ship bound for the country to which he is deemed to belong.

It is not considered either proper or desirable to publish the names of the persons concerned. The future intentions of the Government will depend on the security situation.