XN000022-1973-03-09 — Page 8

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Friday, March 9, 1973

CONVEYANCE OF DANGEROUS GOODS

Law To Be Clarified

Amending legislation is to be introduced shortly to clarify

the law regarding the conveyance of dangerous goods, in particular

within Hong Kong.

L.P.

gas,

The Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Bill 1973 makes it clear that

a licence is required for transporting dangerous goods within Hong Kong.

The existing Ordinance specifies that a licence to convey is

needed for all dangerous goods. However, at the same time, it provides

that no licence is required to convey dangerous goods "while in the

course of transit as cargo in any vessel, aircraft or vehicle."

Thus all dangerous goods being transported in Hong Kong could

be regarded as in the course of transit and hence exempt from the

provisions of the Ordinance.

The amending bill defines the word "transit" to make it clear

that the expression "in the course of transit as cargo" does not relate

to dangerous goods while in the ordinary course of conveyance within Hong Kong.

A separate amendment seeks to give to certain members of the

Preventive Service the same powers as are presently conferred on Police

officers and officers of the Fire Services and ines Department.

Commenting on the proposed changes, the Director of Fire Services

said he had always considered the conveyance of liquefied petroleum

gases in vehicles not equipped for the purpose to be "dangerous."

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