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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1993
AIRLINES PROMPTLY REMOVE INADMISSIBLE PERSONS
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IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ARE FLEXIBLE WHEN AIRLINES HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN CARRYING THOSE REFUSED ENTRY OUT OF HONG KONG ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
THEY LIAISE WITH THE AIRLINES AND DO NOT REQUIRE THEM TO REMOVE ORDINARY PASSENGERS IN ORDER ΤΟ FIND SEATS FOR THE REMOVAL OF INADMISSIBLE PERSONS, HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID WHEN THAT DAY'S DIRECT FLIGHTS WERE FULLY BOOKED, ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE.
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"WE SEEK TO MINIMISE THE PROLONGED DETENTION OF AN INADMISSIBLE PERSON AND THE EXPENSES INCURRED IN MAINTAINING HIM HERE, HE SAID.
THESE EXPENSES ARE BORNE BY THE AIRLINE WHICH BROUGHT THE INADMISSIBLE PERSON TO HONG KONG.
AIRLINES SEEK TO AVOID THE EXPENSE OF LOOKING AFTER PASSENGERS REFUSED LANDING AND GENERALLY HAVE ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY, IN TERMS OF STAND-BY OR STAFF PASSENGERS TO ENABLE THEM TO REMOVE INADMISSIBLE PERSONS WITHOUT INCONVENIENCING NORMAL PASSENGERS, MR ASPREY SAID.
UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES THE DIRECTION OF AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER FOR THE REMOVAL OF AN INADMISSIBLE PERSON SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $20,000.
MR ASPREY SAID NO AIRLINE HAD BEEN PROSECUTED FOR CONTRAVENING SUCH A DIRECTION.
"IMMIGRATION OFFICERS APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY AIRLINES AND DO NOT ISSUE A DIRECTION LIGHTLY, HE SAID.
IN EXERCISING THESE POWERS, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS FOLLOW STANDARDS AND PRACTICES RECOMMENDED BY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION.
PROMPT REMOVAL OF AN INADMISSIBLE PERSON AVOIDS THE PROLONGED DETENTION OF THE PERSON CONCERNED AND THE RISK OF HIS BEING REJECTED BY HIS POINT OF ORIGIN BECAUSE OF A TIME LAPSE, MR ASPREY SAID.
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