Dear Mr. Wilson,

Your request for access to information dated 2023-05-02 is received.

As the information on the number of organizations and persons that have
been fined for not complying with the Society Ordinance is not in the
possession of the Police Licensing Office, please reply in writing if you
consent to have your request be transferred to the Security Bureau for
further reply.

The other enquiries are under processing and will be replied as soon as
practicable.

Regards,
Police Licensing Office

"David Wilson" To: "FOI requests at Hong
<[FOI #1355 email]> Kong Police Force
Administration Wing"
<[Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]>
  2023/05/02 14:21 Cc:
Subject: Freedom of Information
request - Additional
Reference: information on the Hong
Kong Societies
Ordinance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Hong Kong Police Administration Wing, Licensing Office,

I would like to receive some additional information about the Hong Kong
Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151). If these questions cannot be answered
within the Administration Wing, I would like to ask you if they can be
transferred to the right organization.

1.                 How many Society Officers are currently tasked with
enforcing the HK Societies Ordinance?
2.                 Has there been a budget increase for the Society
Officers since July 1, 2020?
3.                 How many new organizations have been registered under
the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
4.                 How many new organizations were exempted from
registration under the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
5.                 How many applications to the HK Societies Ordinance
have been rejected since July 1, 2020?
6.                 How many searches and seizures took place under the HK
Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
7.                 How many organizations and persons have been fined
since July 1, 2020, for not complying with the Society Ordinance, broken
down by first conviction and second and subsequent convictions?
8.                 How many recommendations to the Secretary for Security
to issue an order prohibiting the operation or continued operation of an
organization have been made under the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1,
2020?

Yours faithfully,
David Wilson

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #1355 email]

Is [Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing? If so, please
contact us using this form:
[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[2]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...
2. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

Dear Mr. Wilson,
I refer to your Application for Access to Information dated 2023-05-02.

All police officers are responsible for enforcing the Societies Ordinance.
Between 2020-07-01 and 2023-04-30, a total of 2,621 societies have been
registered or exempted from registration under the Societies Ordinance,
and the Societies Officer has not refused to register or to exempt from
registration any society.  The Police do not have information on the
budget specifically for Societies Registration. In accordance with para.
1.14 of the Code for Access to Information (ochthe Codeoch), departments
are not obliged to acquire information not in their possession.

The Police do not maintain the number of searches and seizures which had
taken place under the Societies Ordinance and resources have to be
diverted from other more urgent work for the compilation of the said
figures because of the large volume of information involved.  Therefore,
the information you requested cannot be disclosed for reasons set out in
para. 2.9(d) of the Code, i.e. Information which could only be made
available by unreasonable diversion of a department’s resources.

The Police do not have the number of organizations and persons that have
been fined for not complying with the Societies Ordinance.  In accordance
with para. 1.14 of the Code, departments are not obliged to acquire
information not in their possession.  Nonetheless, your request for the
said figures will be handled by the Security Bureau.

For the number of recommendations made to the Secretary for Security to
make an order prohibiting the operation or continued operation of any
organization under the Societies Ordinance, the disclosure of such
information would unavoidably disrupt the department’s operational plan
and efficiency as persons with ill intent may appraise Police's operation
and devise counter measures to disrupt Police's ongoing investigation or
operational plan in relation to the issuance of prohibition order by the
Secretary for Security.  Therefore, the information you requested cannot
be disclosed for reason set out in para. 2.9 (c) of the Code, i.e.
Information the disclosure of which would harm or prejudice the proper and
efficient conduct of the operations of a department.

You may ask the HKPF to review the situation regarding the above reply.
 If you believe that the Force has failed to properly apply any provision
of the Code, you may also complain to the Ombudsman at the following
address:-

        The Ombudsman
30/F, China Merchants Tower
        Shun Tak Centre
        168-200 Connaught Road Central
        Hong Kong

        Telephone : 2629 0555
        Fax : 2882 8149

For enquiry, please contact the undersigned at 2860 6527.

Yours sincerely,

( HANG Wing-sum, Claudia )
for  Commissioner of Police
*** This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for the
designated recipient only. It may contain information that is privileged.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
use, retention, disclosure, copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination
of the message is strictly prohibited. If you have received the message in
error, please erase all copies of the message (including attachments) from
your system and notify the sender immediately. ***
*** 此電郵訊息(連同任何附件)只發送給指定收件人。訊息可能包含享有特權資料。
謹此通知，如你並非預定收件人，嚴禁使用、保留、披露、複製、列印、轉發或發布
此訊息。如收到誤發的訊息，請把訊息的所有副本(包括附件)從系統內清除，並立即
通知發件人。***

show quoted sections

(Revised reply)

Dear Mr. Wilson,
I refer to your Application for Access to Information dated 2023-05-02.

All police officers are responsible for enforcing the Societies Ordinance.
Between 2020-07-01 and 2023-04-30, a total of 2,621 societies have been
registered or exempted from registration under the Societies Ordinance,
and the Societies Officer has not refused to register or to exempt from
registration any society.  The Police do not have information on the
budget specifically for Societies Registration. In accordance with para.
1.14 of the Code for Access to Information ("the Code"), departments are
not obliged to acquire information not in their possession.

The Police do not maintain the number of searches and seizures which had
taken place under the Societies Ordinance and resources have to be
diverted from other more urgent work for the compilation of the said
figures because of the large volume of information involved.  Therefore,
the information you requested cannot be disclosed for reasons set out in
para. 2.9(d) of the Code, i.e. Information which could only be made
available by unreasonable diversion of a department’s resources.

The Police do not have the number of organizations and persons that have
been fined for not complying with the Societies Ordinance.  In accordance
with para. 1.14 of the Code, departments are not obliged to acquire
information not in their possession.  Nonetheless, your request for the
said figures will be handled by the Security Bureau.

For the number of recommendations made to the Secretary for Security to
make an order prohibiting the operation or continued operation of any
organization under the Societies Ordinance, the disclosure of such
information would unavoidably disrupt the department’s operational plan
and efficiency as persons with ill intent may appraise Police's operation
and devise counter measures to disrupt Police's ongoing investigation or
operational plan in relation to the issuance of prohibition order by the
Secretary for Security.  Therefore, the information you requested cannot
be disclosed for reason set out in para. 2.9 (c) of the Code, i.e.
Information the disclosure of which would harm or prejudice the proper and
efficient conduct of the operations of a department.

You may ask the HKPF to review the situation regarding the above reply.
 If you believe that the Force has failed to properly apply any provision
of the Code, you may also complain to the Ombudsman at the following
address:-

        The Ombudsman
30/F, China Merchants Tower
        Shun Tak Centre
        168-200 Connaught Road Central
        Hong Kong

        Telephone : 2629 0555
        Fax : 2882 8149

For enquiry, please contact the undersigned at 2860 6527.

Yours sincerely,

( HANG Wing-sum, Claudia )
for  Commissioner of Police
*** This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for the
designated recipient only. It may contain information that is privileged.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
use, retention, disclosure, copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination
of the message is strictly prohibited. If you have received the message in
error, please erase all copies of the message (including attachments) from
your system and notify the sender immediately. ***
*** 此電郵訊息(連同任何附件)只發送給指定收件人。訊息可能包含享有特權資料。
謹此通知，如你並非預定收件人，嚴禁使用、保留、披露、複製、列印、轉發或發布
此訊息。如收到誤發的訊息，請把訊息的所有副本(包括附件)從系統內清除，並立即
通知發件人。***

show quoted sections

Dear Mr. David Wilson,

I refer to your application with the Hong Kong Police for access to
information on 2 May 2023, which was subsequently referred to the Security
Bureau on 9 May 2023 for follow-up in respect of your question number 7.  

Please note that we are processing your request and will provide you with
a reply in due course.

Security Bureau

===================================================================================

"David Wilson" To: "FOI requests at Hong Kong
<[1][FOI #1355 email]> Police Force
Administration Wing"
<[2][Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]>
  2023/05/02 14:21 Cc:
Subject: Freedom of Information
request - Additional
Reference: information on the Hong
Kong Societies Ordinance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Hong Kong Police Administration Wing, Licensing Office,

I would like to receive some additional information about the Hong Kong
Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151). If these questions cannot be answered
within the Administration Wing, I would like to ask you if they can be
transferred to the right organization.

1.                 How many Society Officers are currently tasked with
enforcing the HK Societies Ordinance?
2.                 Has there been a budget increase for the Society
Officers since July 1, 2020?
3.                 How many new organizations have been registered under
the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
4.                 How many new organizations were exempted from
registration under the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
5.                 How many applications to the HK Societies Ordinance
have been rejected since July 1, 2020?
6.                 How many searches and seizures took place under the HK
Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
7.                 How many organizations and persons have been fined
since July 1, 2020, for not complying with the Society Ordinance, broken
down by first conviction and second and subsequent convictions?
8.                 How many recommendations to the Secretary for Security
to issue an order prohibiting the operation or continued operation of an
organization have been made under the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1,
2020?

Yours faithfully,
David Wilson

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FOI #1355 email]

Is [4][Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing? If so, please
contact us using this form:
[5]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[6]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #1355 email]
2. mailto:[Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]
3. mailto:[FOI #1355 email]
4. mailto:[Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]
5. https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...
6. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

Dear Mr. David Wilson,

Further to our email to you on 18 May 2023 about your application for
access to information.  Please find enclosed the information in response
to your question number 7, for your perusal.

[See attachment "Number of persons and organisations convicted under
Chapter 151(2020Jul - 2022).pdf.pdf"]

Security Bureau

From: SB-AIOREQ/SB
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2023 4:52 PM
To: 'David Wilson' <[FOI #1355 email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Additional information on the
Hong Kong Societies Ordinance

Dear Mr. David Wilson,

I refer to your application with the Hong Kong Police for access to
information on 2 May 2023, which was subsequently referred to the Security
Bureau on 9 May 2023 for follow-up in respect of your question number 7.  

Please note that we are processing your request and will provide you with
a reply in due course.

Security Bureau

===================================================================================

"David Wilson" To: "FOI requests at Hong Kong
<[1][FOI #1355 email]> Police Force
Administration Wing"
<[2][Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]>
  2023/05/02 14:21 Cc:
Subject: Freedom of Information
request - Additional
Reference: information on the Hong
Kong Societies Ordinance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Hong Kong Police Administration Wing, Licensing Office,

I would like to receive some additional information about the Hong Kong
Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151). If these questions cannot be answered
within the Administration Wing, I would like to ask you if they can be
transferred to the right organization.

1.                 How many Society Officers are currently tasked with
enforcing the HK Societies Ordinance?
2.                 Has there been a budget increase for the Society
Officers since July 1, 2020?
3.                 How many new organizations have been registered under
the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
4.                 How many new organizations were exempted from
registration under the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
5.                 How many applications to the HK Societies Ordinance
have been rejected since July 1, 2020?
6.                 How many searches and seizures took place under the HK
Societies Ordinance since July 1, 2020?
7.                 How many organizations and persons have been fined
since July 1, 2020, for not complying with the Society Ordinance, broken
down by first conviction and second and subsequent convictions?
8.                 How many recommendations to the Secretary for Security
to issue an order prohibiting the operation or continued operation of an
organization have been made under the HK Societies Ordinance since July 1,
2020?

Yours faithfully,
David Wilson

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FOI #1355 email]

Is [4][Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing? If so, please
contact us using this form:
[5]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[6]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #1355 email]
2. mailto:[Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]
3. mailto:[FOI #1355 email]
4. mailto:[Hong Kong Police Force Administration Wing request email]
5. https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...
6. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers