THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
·
6
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
OF
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION B.A.1.T. (ASIA) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY).
TOUGH MEASURES AGAINST VICE PROPOSED
TO
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO INTRODUCE MORE EFFECTIVE MEASURES
SIGNS TO CLAMP DOWN ON
ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION
AND SERVICES CONTROL NUISANCES CAUSED BY VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE MOVE HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS ADVISED THAT THE CRIMES ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING TOUGHER MEASURES ΤΟ HELP ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH VICE ESTABLISHMENTS,
THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR EIGHT WEEKS.
THE BILL SEEKS TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE TO PUBLICLY DISPLAY A SIGN ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION SERVICES. THE OFFENDER WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.
IN
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR SOLICITING A PUBLIC PLACE FOR ANY IMMORAL PURPOSE BE INCREASED FROM $1,000 TO $10,000.
UNDER THE BILL, THE POLICE WILL HAVE POWER TO REMOVE ANY SIGN WHICH 19 REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION ACTIVITIES, AND THE COURT MAY ORDER A CONVICTED OFFENDER TO PAY THE TO EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE REMOVAL AND IN CARRYING OUT REMEDIAL WORK THE BUILDING CONCERNED.
IF NO CONVICTION IS OBTAINED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BEAR THE FULL COST.
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES A MAGISTRATE TO ISSUE A SIX-MONTH
WHERE TWO CLOSURE ORDER IN RESPECT OF PREMISES
OFFENCES HAVE BEEN THE COMMITTED IN CONTRAVENTION OF CERTAIN VICE-RELATED PROVISIONS IN CRIMES ORDINANCE AND THE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS ORDINANCE, RESULTING IN CONVICTIONS.
/THE ORDER