WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1992
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PROHIBITION ON USE OF ADVERTISING VEHICLES
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A BILL GIVING LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE DECISION то PROHIBIT THE USE OF VEHICLES SOLELY FOR COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING PURPOSES WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 MAKES IT AN OFFENCE TO USE AN ADVERTISING VEHICLE WITHOUT A PERMIT OR IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PERMIT CONDITIONS.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE WILL BE A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO STOP THE USE OF COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING VEHICLES WHICH DID NOT PERFORM ANY TRANSPORTATION FUNCTION AND ADD TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN BUSY AREAS.
"THE BILL EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO ISSUE PERMITS FOR THE DISPLAY OF NON-COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING FOR LIMITED PERIODS AND IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS OR APPROVED CHARITABLE FUNCTIONS, HE ADDED.
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THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING VEHICLES WITH PERMITS ISSUED UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION UNTIL THESE PERMITS EXPIRE.
IN ADDITION, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WILL BE AMENDED ΤΟ RAISE THE ADVERTISING VEHICLE PERMIT FEE FROM $50 TO $100.
GOVT OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA
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YEUNG, WILL VISIT
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. CHINA FROM APRIL 3 TO 11 AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL.
MR YEUNG WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY FIVE OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS IS ONE OF A SERIES OF VISITS WHICH STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO FOR GENERAL FAMILIARISATION.
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