WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1983
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MORE +STRENGTH+ PROVIDED IN BILL
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THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WILL STRENGTHEN HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ITS INTEGRITY AS A RESPONSIBLE TRADING PARTNER, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON JUSTIN YUE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE BILL THROUGH ITS SECOND READING, MR YUE SAID
ITS PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE FOR MORE EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO TEXTILE PRODUCTS, SO AS TO PREVENT CIRCUMVENTION OF THE TEXTILE LICENSING SYSTEM.
+WITHIN THIS BROAD OBJECTIVE, THE BILL FIRST SEEKS TO FACILITATE THE EXAMINATION OF CONSIGNMENTS BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, AND SECOND TO TIGHTEN THE MANIFEST REQUIREMENTS FOR CARGO IMPORTED OR EXPORTED BY RAIL, HE SAID.
THE BILL SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE EXISTING AUTHORITY OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TO REQUEST A CARGO MANIFEST AND TO ENSURE THAT DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED AS CARGO MANIFESTS MEET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, HE ADDED.
TO FACILITATE THE EXAMINATION OF IMPORTED CARGO WHERE THE IDENTITY OF THE CONSIGNEE IS NOT KNOWN, OR IF A DOUBT EXISTS AS TO HIS IDENTITY, THE BILL SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WITH THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THE CARGO TO BE HELD AT AN AGREED LOCATION UNTIL COMPLETION OF VERIFICATION AND EXAMINATION.
+THIS AUTHORITY, WHICH ALREADY EXISTS IN RESPECT OF PROHIBITED ARTICLES, SERVES TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE TO CARRIERS WHOSE AIRCRAFT, VESSELS OR VEHICLES MIGHT OTHERWISE BE DELAYED IF CARGO EXAMINATIONS WERE TO BE CONDUCTED ON BOARD,+ MR YUE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE BILL SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT THE MANIFEST REQUIREMENTS CAN BE PROPERLY APPLIED TO CARGO TRANSPORTED BY RAIL.
+SINCE RAIL CARGO IS IN PRACTICE HANDLED BY A LOCAL AGENT WHO ALONE HOLDS THE PARTICULARS OF THE CARGO, IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO HOLD THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION LIABLE FOR THE MANIFEST REQUIREMENTS. CLAUSE 3 (A) OF THE BILL, THEREFORE, EXPANDS THE AMBIT OF SECTION 15 TO PLACE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION ON THE PERSON ACTING AS THE AGENT, OR THE OWNER, OF GOODS CARRIED BY TRAIN,+ HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TILL JULY 13.
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