WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1979
BILL TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION OF CLEAN AIR ORDIANCE
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THE CLEAN AIR (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 IS INTENDED TO REMEDY CERTAIN OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NE IL HENDERSON, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, HE SAID IT PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR OF AN AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER AND AUTHORISES THE OFFICER TO ISSUE SMOKE ABATEMENT NOTICES.
AT PRESENT HE HAD TO APPROVE PERSONALLY THE ISSUE OF SUCH NOTICES AND TO EXERCISE PERSONALLY THE FUNCTIONS AS A COMPETENT AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ORDINANCE AND ITS TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS, MR. HENDERSON SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR. HENDERSON CONTINUED, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A TWO-YEAR TIME LIMIT ON THE INSTITUTION OF PROCEEDINGS FROM THE TIME AN OFFENCE IS COMMITTED. THIS PROVISION, HOWEVER, WILL APPLY TO OFFENCES COMMITTED AFTER THE BILL PASSES INTO LAW.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROVISION WAS NECESSARY LEST SOME OFFENDERS MIGHT ESCAPE PROSECUTION.
+DUE TO THE SIX-MONTH TIME LIMIT FOR LAYING AN INFORMATION PRESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 26 OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE, LEGAL ACTION IS TIME-BARRED IF AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE OR ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS IS DISCOVERED LATER THAN SIX MONTHS FROM THE TIME THE OFFENCE TOOK PLACE, HE EXPLAINED.
+AS IT IS. NOT PRACTICABLE FOR THE EXISTING STAFF TO INSPECT EACH AND EVERY FUEL-USING PLANT BI-ANNUALLY, SOME OFFENDERS MAY ESCAPE PROSECUTION. IN ADDITION, THIS PROVISION AS IT STANDS PRESENTS POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION, HE ADDED.
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