XCC(79)7
10
The Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Bill adds
a new penal provision covering the possibility of beaching or scuttling a vessel within Hong Kong waters.
11
The Immigration (Amendment) Bill will enable the Director of Immigration effectively to detain persons who are refused permission to land and who come from Vietnam for the period for which this provision is in force, rather than limiting the detention to 2 months under the provisions of the principal Ordinance. It will be for consideration in each case whether such persons shall be detained or not.
Financial Implications
12
The amendments in the proposed legislation have no financial implications.
Publicity
13
The public will welcome legislation to deter Hong Kong being used as a place to which refugees travelling as passengers can be brought whether or not the ship carrying them is using Hong Kong as the first port of call. The Port Committee has been consulted about the amendments concerning shipping and support them.
14
It is intended to introduce the legislation into the Legislative Council on the 10th January and to take all three stages of all three bills on the same day. This will underline the seriousness with which Hong Kong views the present developments and recognises the need for swift action to make changes in the law to meet the situation.
15
Honourable Members are asked to advise whether the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1979, the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Bill 1979 and the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1979 should be published and introduced to the Legislative Council on the 10th January.
(The Secretary for Security (Mr L. M. DAVIES), the Solicitor General (Mr G. C. THORNTON) and the Director of Marine (Mr M. J. ALEXANDER) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).
6th January 1979
(CR 7/4821/78)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
機密
CONFIDENTIAL