17
See C
10 MAY 1978
521
Written Answers whether a citizen in Hong Kong can initiate a private prosecution for a cor- ruption case that occurred prior to 1st January 1977; whether the Attorney- General could intervene to stop such an action; and whether the Governor has any powers to direct the Attorney-General over such an action.
Mr. Luard: Anybody may seek to insti- tute a prosecution under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, irrespective of the date of the alleged offence. All such prosecutions require the consent of the Attorney-General. The Governor has no power to direct the Attorney-General in the exercise of this power.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether an individual member of the public in Hong Kong can ask the courts for an order to be issued to the Com- missioner for the Independent Commis- sion Against Corruption to investigate a specific complaint alleging a corruption offence prior to 1st January 1977; whether the Attorney-General has powers to stop such an action; and in the event of the issue of such an order, whether the Com- missioner would carry it out.
Mr. Luard: Any member of the public can ask the courts for such an order, but the application would be opposed by the Attorney-General. Under Section 18A of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance, the Commissioner is prohibited, subject to certain excep- tions, from investigating complaints about corruption offences which are alleged to have been committed prior to 1st January 1977. In the light of this provision, the courts are not empowered to make an order compelling the Commisioner to investigate alleged corruption offences committed before that date, unless they fall within the exceptions referred to above.
Mr. Ronald Atkins asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of factories and workplaces pay- ing wages below the legally acceptable minimum in Hong Kong and the number they employ.
Written Answers
HKK 210/2
(12)
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
1 5 MAY 1978
22 DESK OFFICER
INDEX
Mr. Ronald Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the employ ment ordinance in Hong Kong giving all workers seven days annual vacation leave and one days leave in seven is being observed by all employers.
Mr. Luard: The rest days are being generally observed. Employers have until the end of 1978 to grant the seven days' annual vacation leave. But there are no grounds to believe that signifi- cant problems will arise over the enforce- ment of these provisions of the employ- ment ordinance.
Mr. Ronald Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what age compulsory education ceases for children in Hong Kong.
Mr. Luard: At present at the age of 12. From September 1979 compulsory education will be extended to children under 14, and from September 1980 to any children under 15 who have not yet completed three years' secondary educa- tion.
Mr. Ronald Atkins asked the Secretary Affairs what was the total of the fines of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
imposed last year in Hong Kong for the employment of children.
Mr. Luard: mately £57,000.
HK$488,705-approxi-
Mr. Ronald Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many workers in Hong Kong were killed or injured at work in 1976 and 1977, respectively; and what propor- tion of the labour force this represents.
Mr. Luard: Full statistics are not available. However, the following figures show the number of accidents giving rise to claims for workmen's compensation in the years in question:
Mr. Luard: There is no statutory Injuries minimum wage in Hong Kong.
Deaths
25 N 43
1976
1977
Percen-
tage of
labour
force
Number (1·952 Number
Percen-
tage of
labour
force
(1-951
of cases million) of cases million)
44,803 2.30
249
0-01
49,589
ль
WA
REGISTRY Action Taken
QE
See Di
کام
DATE ..105/28
COL.
522W
ака
VOL.
265
0.01
dent to HK. 2 Corprès
15/5.
2.54
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