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WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL INTRODUCED
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PROVISION ORDINANCE (WEDNESDAY).
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 WHICH SEEKS TO MAKE ON LOITERING OFFENCE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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RIGHTS TODAY
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY SECURITY,
FOR MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID AT PRESENT POLICE EMPOWERED
OFFICERS ARE TO REQUIRE AN ACCUSED PERSON TO EXPLAIN HIS SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR IF HE IS FOUND LOITERING IN A PUBLIC PLACE OR IN THE COMMON PARTS OF ANY BUILDING.
THIS REQUIREMENT RISKS INFRINGING THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE GUARANTEED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AND THE RIGHT OF ACCUSED PERSON NOT TO BE COMPELLED TO CONFESS GUILT, HE SAID.
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AN
GIVE
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, ANY FAILURE OF A SUSPECT TO SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF HIS PRESENCE AND BEHAVIOUR WILL ONLY FORM PART OF THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE.
IT WILL NOT, AS IT DOES IN THE PRESENT OFFENCE, PART OF THE OFFENCE.
CONSTITUTE
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ΤΟ
MR ASPREY SAID THE AMENDMENT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE PROSECUTION PROVE 'INTENT' ON THE PART OF THE ACCUSED TO COMMIT AN ARRESTABLE OFFENCE.
"THE LOITERING OFFENCE HAS BEEN AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PREVENTION, AND WE NEED TO RETAIN IT AS SUCH.
CRIME
"THE ABILITY OF THE POLICE TO PREVENT AND COMBAT CRIME NOT BE AFFECTED ADVERSELY BY THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS TO INCREASE
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SHOULD
TWO SEPARATE RESOLUTIONS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE} ORDINANCE ΤΟ INCREASE CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS BY 11.54% WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
MOVING THE MOTIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MACLEOD, SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S DECLARED POLICY WAS ORIGINAL PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS.
THE HON HAMISH TO MAINTAIN THE
/THESE INCLUDED