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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1986
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMISSION INVITED THE VIEWS OF EDUCATORS AND ALL CONCERNED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THESE ISSUES.
+THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS
BY THE END OF DECEMBER THIS YEAR, HE SAID. +THE COMMISSION'S TIMETABLE FOR THESE REVIEWS IS FLEXIBLE, BUT THE COMMISSION INTENDS TO DRAW UP RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE COURSE OF 1987.+
PUBLIC VIEWS AND COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY TO THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, THIRD FLOOR, EAST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFF ICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
0
TRADE DESCRIPTIONS BILL TIGHTENED
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THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE APPLICATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN 1980, PROVIDED CONSUMERS WITH PROTECTION FROM FALSE AND MISLEADING DESCRIPTIONS GIVEN TO GOODS SUPPLIED IN THE COURSE OF TRADE.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, WHICH ADMINISTERED THE ORDINANCE, HAD IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE COULD BE IMPROVED.
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED IN THE BILL.
FIRSTLY, PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE DETENTION AND FORFEITURE
OF GOODS HAVE BEEN REVISED.
SECONDLY, WHILE OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS OFFICER GRADE ARE EMPOWERED UNDER THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE ORDINANCE TO EFFECT ARRESTS, SIMILAR POWERS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO OTHER AUTHORISED OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, NAMELY THOSE OF THE INDUSTRY OFFICER GRADE WHO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN POLICING THE ORDINANCE.
THIRDLY, PROVISIONS RESTRICTING THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO TRADE MARK OWNERS ARE REVISED.
FINALLY, PRESUMPTIONS REGARDING EVIDENCE IN COURT OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR IMPORTED GOODS WITH FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ARE INTRODUCED.
THE PROPOSED