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PROPOSED EXTENSION OF TIME LIMITS FOR COMMENCING SUMMARY PROSECUTIONS

* * *

AMENDMENT BILLS WHICH SEEK TO EXTEND THE STATUTORY TIME LIMITS FOR COMMENCING PROCEEDINGS FOR PROSECUTING CERTAIN SUMMARY OFFENCES IN THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 16 NEXT YEAR.

AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED ΤΟ THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE, COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE, COMMODITIES EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE AND PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE TO ALLOW PROCEEDINGS OF SUMMARY PROSECUTIONS TO COMMENCE AT ANY TIME WITHIN THREE YEARS

HAS AFTER A SUMMARY OFFENCE IN THESE ORDINANCES

BEEN COMMITTED AND OF THE WITHIN 12 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST DISCOVERY PROSECUTOR, WHICHEVER PERIOD EXPIRES FIRST,

OFFENCE

BY

THE

IS

BY SECTION 26 OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE, WHERE NO PERIOD LAID DOWN IN AN ORDINANCE, PROCEEDINGS FOR PROSECUTING AN OFFENCE

BEGUN WITHIN SIX (OTHER THAN AN INDICTABLE OFFENCE) MUST BE

MONTHS FROM THE DATE THE offencE WAS COMMITTED.

EXPLAINING THE OBJECTIVE OF THE AMENDMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR

MR DAVID MONETARY AFFAIRS,

NENDICK, SAID THE EXISTING SIX-MONTH MAY NOT COME TO LIMITATION PERIOD IS TOO RESTRICTIVE AS AN OFFENCE LIGHT UNTIL SOME TIME AFTER IT WAS COMMITTED.

"THE AMENDMENTS WILL FACILITATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS,' MR NENDICK ADDED.

-

THE SUMMARY OFFENCES IN THE FOUR ORDINANCES ARE OFTEN COMPLEX

AND IN NATURE, INVOLVING NUMEROUS WITNESSES

VOLUMINOUS DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. EXPERIENCE OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION INDICATES THAT IN MOST CASES CONSIDERABLE TIME IS REQUIRED TO FOR THE PROSECUTION.

PREPARE

THESE OFFENCES CONCERN THE REGISTRATION OF DEALERS,

OF A SECURITIES, OPERATION

EXCHANGE, UNREGISTERED INVESTMENT BUSINESS, AND SO ON.

COMMODITIES

TRADING OF ADVERTISING

OF

THE BILLS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON DECEMBER 28.

0

+

THE

GOVERNOR VISITS ROYAL HK AUXILIARY POLICE HQS

KONG

GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, ACCOMPANIED BY THE

VISITED THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA,

ROYAL HONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MET BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE COMMANDANT MR ARCHIE CHAN, DEPUTY COMMANDANT MR PETER CHAU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUPPORT MR LAU TO-YEE, THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED BY THE ACTING CHIEF STAFF OFFICER MR ALFRED CHEUNG ON THE STRUCTURE AND TRAINING OF THE AUXILIARY FORCE.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO CHATTED WITH

OF THE JUNIOR WHO HAD EARLIER BEEN AWARDED WITH QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT.

SOME

OR

OFFICERS QUEEN'S

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