End
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In addition, $33 of the Public Order Ordinance, CAP 245, provides that any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, has with him in any public place any article made or adapted for use, or suitable, for causing injury to the person, shall be liable to imprisonment for 3
years.
Although the possession of a paper cutter is not an offence per se, the criminal who has in his possession a paper cutter and intend to use it to commit crime will be arrested and prosecuted. The criminal intent can be proved from the prevailing circumstances, such as the nature and condition of the article, the time, the place, what legitimate use it might have at such a time and in such a place, and the reaction of the person when approached by the Police etc. Thus, during the last three years, a total of 273 persons were successfully prosecuted for illegal possession of razor blades (including paper cutters).
These provisions give adequate powers to the Police to tackle the problem of using paper cutters for committing crimes.
Fiscal reserves deposit with the exchange fund
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Huang Chen-ya, and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services, Mr Rafael Hui, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is learnt that the fiscal reserves of the Government are deposited with the Exchange Fund and banks to earn interest. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
of the amount of fiscal reserves deposited with the Exchange Fund, the amount of interest earned and the rate of return in each of the past three financial years, as well as the basis and justifications for determining the rate of return; and
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(b)
Reply:
(a)