WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1980

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→THE COMMISSION IS OF COURSE EMPOWERED TO MAKE SUCH OTHER INVESTIGATIONS AS IT FEELS TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE,

HE ADDED.

THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ORDINANCE WILL GOVERN THE CONDUCT OF THE INQUIRY. THESE INCLUDE PROVISIONS DEALING WITH THE RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THE HOLDING OF THE INQUIRY OR PARTS OF IT IN CAMERA, AND THE PUBLICATION OR DISCLOSURE OF PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTED THAT THE COMMISSION'S TERMS OF REFERENCE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY STUDY OF WHETHER OR NOT ANY CHANGE IN THE LAWS GOVERNING HOMOSEXUAL OFFENCES IN HONG KONG SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE MADE.

+THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, TO WHOM THIS MATTER HAS BEEN REFERRED, COMMENCED ITS DELIBERATIONS ON THIS MATTER AT ITS LAST MEETING, AND WILL CONTINUE ITS STUDY OF THE SUBJECT, HE SAID.

IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM FOR ALL TEXTILES

*****

FROM AUGUST 1 THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE A TEXTILE IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

ALL IMPORTS OF TEXTILES MUST BE COVERED BY LICENCES ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

TRANSPORTATION, SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES MUST NOT RELEASE ANY TEXTILE GOODS IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG WITHOUT THE PRODUCTION OF A VALID IMPORT LICENCE.

+ I WOULD STRESS THAT LICENCES WILL BE ISSUED AUTOMATICALLY AND FREE OF CHARGE. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE SYSTEM BEING USED TO RESTRICT IMPORTS,+ MR TSAO SAID.

+THE SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE MEASURES INTRODUCED TO HELP THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS EFFORTS AGAINST MALPRACTICES UNDER THE EXISTING TEXTILES EXPORT QUOTA SYSTEM.

+ IT WILL ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR THE FLOW OF TEXTILE IMPORTS SO THAT ANY UNUSUAL TRADE PATTERNS CAN BE IDENTIFIED, AND CHECKS CAN BE CARRIED OUT ON SUSPECTED CASES, HE SAID.

TO CATER FOR TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS ARRIVING ON AUGUST 1, THE DEPARTMENT WILL START RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES FROM 8.45 AM ON JULY 23. THE LICENCE WILL BE VALID FOR 28 DAYS.

OTHER DETAILS OF THE LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS AND

APPLICATION PROCEDURE ARE SET OUT IN A CIRCULAR LETTER ISSUED TODAY TO MAJOR TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS-

TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS

AIRLINE COMPANIES.

AND TRANSPORTATION, SHIPPING AND

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