16
Wednesday, May 23, 1973
SOME EXEMPTIONS FOR CONSULAR OFFICERS
The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. J. Hobley, said today that
it was customary in Hong Kong, as in most other countries, not to take
action against consular officers for minor breaches of the traffic laws.
Mr. Hobley, who was replying in Legislative Council to a question
by the Hon. Szeto Wai, added that unlawful parking was the most common case.
However, he emphasised that this was a matter of courtesy
"and if a consular officer abuses the courtesy, a different situation
arises",
Mr. Hobley pointed out that with limited exceptions, members of
the Consular Corps were obliged to observe local laws in the same way
as any other person.
The exceptions broadly speaking afforded immunity in respect of
acts performed in the exercise of consular functions, exemptions from
payment of customs dutics and certain taxes and exemptions from liability
for public service.
Career consuler officers, he said, may also not be arrested
or detained except in the case of serious crimes.
|
1
/17