Friday, July 14, 1972
ADDITIONAL POWERS FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS
An amending bill to facilitate the processing of applications
concerning extensions of stay and conditions of stay in Hong Kong will
be introduced into the Legislative Council shortly.
The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1972, published in today's
Government Gazette, seeks to delegate to Immigration Officers certain
duties and powers now vested in the Director, Deputy Director and any
Assistant Director of Immigration.
It amends the principal Ordinance to provide for an Immigration
Officer to grant extensions of stay and to impose, cancel or vary
any conditions of stay.
Another proposed amendment enables any Immigration Assistant,
in addition to an Immigration Officer, to exercise powers related to their
normal duties in immigration control.
A Government spokesman said hundreds of applicantions for extensions
of stay and variations in conditions of stay were being handled by the
Immigration Department every day, and it was impossible for the Directorate
to deal with them all.
The spokesman added: "If these powers are not delegated to
Immigration Officers, considerable delays in dealing with such applications
will develop with resultant inconvenience to members of the public."
/Safegurads
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