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Friday, March 9, 1973
CONVEYANCE OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Law To Be Clarified
Amending legislation is to be introduced shortly to clarify
the law regarding the conveyance of dangerous goods, in particular
within Hong Kong.
L.P.
gas,
The Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Bill 1973 makes it clear that
a licence is required for transporting dangerous goods within Hong Kong.
The existing Ordinance specifies that a licence to convey is
needed for all dangerous goods. However, at the same time, it provides
that no licence is required to convey dangerous goods "while in the
course of transit as cargo in any vessel, aircraft or vehicle."
Thus all dangerous goods being transported in Hong Kong could
be regarded as in the course of transit and hence exempt from the
provisions of the Ordinance.
The amending bill defines the word "transit" to make it clear
that the expression "in the course of transit as cargo" does not relate
to dangerous goods while in the ordinary course of conveyance within Hong Kong.
A separate amendment seeks to give to certain members of the
Preventive Service the same powers as are presently conferred on Police
officers and officers of the Fire Services and ines Department.
Commenting on the proposed changes, the Director of Fire Services
said he had always considered the conveyance of liquefied petroleum
gases in vehicles not equipped for the purpose to be "dangerous."
/"There