Evaders Already in Hong Kong
6.
In order to avoid criticism on grounds of retrospective action and to lessen the magnitude of the enforcement operation, evaders from China already in Hong Kong at the time the plan was announced would be allowed a three-day period of grace in which to regularise their status by applying for an identity card.
Amending Legislation
7.
Although the existing Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) authorises the removal of illegal immigrants generally (Sections 18 and 19), various legislative amendments are required to provide for the additional measures, Drafts of these amendments are at Annexes B, C, D and E,
8..
(a)
The principal features of the amending legislation are :-
under new part IVA all persons aged 18 or more who are required to register for identity cards under Section 3 of Cap. 177 would be obliged to carry them, or certain specified alternatives, at all times. The alternatives (driving licence, valid travel documents etc.) are allowed for in order to ease the enforce.mert burden and render the requirement more acceptable to the public. For these same reasons, those persons rot required register for identity cards under Regulation 25 of the Registration of Persons Regulations
SECRET