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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
THE
UNDER CERTAIN PROVISIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CAN DIRECT DISCLAIMATION OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS BY THE BANK BECAUSE THE PURCHASER OF THE BANK WAS GIVEN A LIMITED NUMBER OF WARRANTIES BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH MIGHT BE RELATED TO LIABILITIES INCURRED BY THE BANK BEFORE ITS ACQUISITION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA RECORDED
THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA IS LIKELY TO CONTINUR IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALASTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993, MR ASPREY SAID THE OVERALL FIGURE FOR THIS YEAR WERE STILL OVER 10% UP ON THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA REMAINS A SERIOUS PROBLEM,
H HR
SAID.
IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO RETAIN PART VIIA AS A STRONG SANCTION AGAINST THE SNAKEHEADS" WHO ENGAGE IN THIS ILLICIT TRADE, HE ADDED.
"WE PROPOSE, HOWEVER, TO MODERATE THE HEAVY PENALTIES WHICH WERE FELT NECESSARY FOR THE EMERGENCY SITUATION WHICH WE FACED AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT IN 1979.
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES ΤΟ REDUCE THE MAXIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FROM LIFE TO 14 YEARS. BUT THE MAXIMUM FINE REMAINS AT $5 MILLION.
A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO MADE IN THE BILL:
AMENDMENT OF SECTION 19, TO CLARIFY THAT VISITORS AND TRANSITEES ARE REMOVABLE FROM HONG KONG;
*
UNDESIRABLE ALIEN
# AMENDMENT OF SECTIONS 20, 54, 55, TO TRANSFER AUTHORITY TO MAKE AND RESCIND DEPORTATION ORDERS FROM THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ΤΟ THE GOVERNOR;
* AMEMDMENT OF SECTION 40, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINE, FROM $1,000 TO $10,000, FOR AIRLINES CARRYING PASSENGERS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION TO HONG KONG;
* AMENDMENT OF SECTION 53C, TO EMPOWER THE IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL TO DISMISS REPEATED APPEALS AGAINST REMOVAL ORDERS WITHOUT A HEARING; AND
* AMENDMENT OF SECTION 63A, TO EXTEND THE USE OF EVIDENCE BY CERTIFICATE IN CASES OF PROSECUTION OF SITE CONTROLLERS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
Q
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