FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
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MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF MARINE LITTERING
AN AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) PROVIDES FOR MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF MARINE LITTERING.
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 FORMS 1'ART OF THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO DEAL WITH THE FLOATING REFUSE PROBLEM.
228) IN OF HONG
IT AMENDS THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER RELATION TO THE OFFENCE OF DEPOSITING LITTER INTO THE WATERS KONG OR IN A PLACE WHERE IT MAY BE SWEPT BY THE TIDE INTO SUCH WATERS.
THESE AMENDMENTS INCLUDED AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR MARINE LITTERING OFFENCES.
POWER
AUTHORISED OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN POWER OF ENTRY. AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF AND PROVE HIS IDENTIFICATION, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST MARINE LITTERING OFFENCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SAID THAT SECTION OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR PROSECUTIONS AGAINST MARINE LITTERING.
4D
"HOWEVER, THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT EMPOWER PUBLIC OFFICERS ΤΟ BOARD VESSELS OR TO ENTER PLACES OR PREMISES то HELP THEM IDENTIFY SUSPECTS IN MARINE LITTERING, HE SAID.
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"SUCH POWER OF ENTRY IS PROVIDED FOR IN OTHER ORDINANCES. EXAMPLES ARE THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE I CHAPTER 3131 WHICH ENABLES AUTHORISED OFFICERS TO STOP AND BOARD ANY VESSEL WHERE THEY HAVE REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR SUSPECTING THAT A CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE HAS TAKEN PLACE.
"THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 132. ALSO EMPOWERS AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICERS TO ENTER PREMISES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THAT ORDINANCE INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUISANCE MATTERS SUCH AS LAND LITTERING.
"THE LACK OF POWER OF ENTRY UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE HAS TO SOME EXTENT PREVENTED PUBLIC OFFICERS FROM IDENTIFYING OFFENDERS EFFECTIVELY TO PROSECUTE UNDER SECTION AD OF THE ORDINANCE AGAINST MARINE LITTERING IN AND FROM SHIPYARDS AND OTHER PRIVATE PREMISES ALONG THE WATERFRONT.
"WE THEREFORE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO ADD SUCH A POWER TO THE
ORDINANCE."
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WOULD BE THE AUTHORISATION AUTHORITIES AS IN THE CASE OF AUTHORISATION REQUIRED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE AND SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL RESPECTIVELY.
ORDINANCE
/"IN ORDER