09-SEP-1993 10:06
UKREP EC BRUSSELƏ
24.
the of
EC Office (other than As for other members
and in Hong Kong)
family members travelling
than those
permanently resident
same treatment.
with them, it would not be possible to provide the same However, administrative arrangements
to
could be made to provide customs help through service which would give exemption from customs under the Vienna proviso standard the subject inspection Convention on Consular Relations i.e. unless the customs authorities have serious reason to believe that their personal baggage contains use or articles the articles other than
than those for their personal import or export of which is prohibited by Hong Kong's laws or are Under such subject to Hong Kong's guarantine laws and regulations. circumstances, inspection should be carried out in the presence of the officer or member of his family.
25.
The EC expressed satisfaction with these arrangements.
Exemption from personal services and contributions
26.
Mrs
However,
was no
requirement for personal confirmed there Ip
The Hong Kong services or contributions other than jury service. Government had no legal power to exempt officers of the EC office from jury service and indeed even civil servants in Hong Kong were
would it
be possible for the officer not exempted.
to concerned, on being summoned,
on being summoned, to apply "on cause being shown", the court for exemption on any trial, or to apply in writing to the Registar of the Supreme Court to be excused from attending on any jury. It would be up to the Court to decide whether exemption would be granted, but in practical terms the chance of being summoned was reasonably small.
Determination of beginning and end of privileges and immunities
27.
1 to 3 of para 15 of an Mrs Ip referred to sub-paras earlier list of privileges and immunities sought for the EC Office dated 18 December 1992 (Annex II) and said Hong Kong would have no problem with the proposals set out therein.
/Recognition