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Following is a question by the Hon Leung Kwok-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (November 16):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the number of persons from the Mainland currently serving sentences in Hong Kong, together with a breakdown by their terms of imprisonment (under two years, two to under seven years, seven to under 10 years, 10 years or longer); and
(b) the progress and details of the discussions between the authorities in Hong Kong and the Mainland on the arrangements for the transfer of sentenced persons?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) As at November 11, 2005, the total number of Mainlanders serving sentences in Hong Kong, together with a breakdown by their terms of imprisonment, are as follows:
Terms of Imprisonment Number of Persons
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Under 2 years 2,686
2 to under 7 years 471
7 to under 10 years 52
10 years or longer 51
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Total 3,260
(b) In March 2000, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Mainland experts started discussions on the arrangements for transfer of sentenced persons (TSP) by way of meetings and exchange of documents. Discussions have centred around the main principles and provisions enshrined in the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Ordinance (Cap.513) and the agreements on transfer of sentenced persons that we have signed with other jurisdictions, which include, for example, the conditions for transfer, procedures for transfer, retention of jurisdiction and continued enforcement of sentence. We will continue to work on the setting up of TSP arrangements with the Mainland. In the process, we will take full account of the significant differences between the legal systems of the two places and the complexities of the issues involved.
Ends/Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:01
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