GR 3330
CONFIDENTIAL
75,
62
seel
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 090858Z JAN 79
HKK 243
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY MO. 51
9 JAN1979
DASK OF CER
INDEX
TO IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE No
TELNO.59 OF 9 JANUARY,
46
YOUR TELNO.13 : 'HUEY FONG''
tion
1. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED THIS MORNING THAT THE THREE
AMENDING BILLS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
ON THE 10TH JANUARY. IT IS THE INTENTION TO TAKE ALL THREE STAGES
OF THE BILLS ON THAT DAY AND THEN FOR ME TO GIVE MY ASSENT.
2. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING CHANGES SHOULD
BE MADE TO THE DRAFT BILLS:
(A) THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.
(1) THE MAXIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT SHOULD BE INCREASED TO
FOUR YEARS ON INDICTMENT. A SUMMARY PROSECUTION WILL STILL HAVE
AN AVAILABLE MAXIMUM OF TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT.
(2) BEFORE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TAKES STEPS TO COMMENCE THE
FORFEITURE PROCEDURE THE APPROVAL OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MUST
BE OBTAINED.
(3) THE FORFEITURE PROVISIONS ARE TO EXPIRE ON 31ST DECEMBER
1979 UNLESS EXTENDED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
COMMENT: THE REASON FOR SUCH PROVISION WAS THAT MEMBERS FELT THEY
MIGHT NEED LATER TO LOOK IN GREATER DETAIL AT AND POSSIBLE AMEND
THE FORFEITURE PROVISIONS. IT WAS GENERALLY AGREED THAT THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE WILLING TO EXTEND THE ESSENTIAL PROVISIONS WELL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ (B) THE