XN000022-1973-12-07 — Page 3

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Friday, December 7, 1973

The Emergency (control of Cil) Regulations 1973 were approved by the Governor in Council this week and gazetted this morning. Among other things they provide

for: -

*the regulation of the supply and consumption

of oil, electricity and gas;

the price at which oil may be supplied;

the regulation of the use of vehicles on roads

and the use of all forms of transport, including ferries, aircraft and ships;

the requisitioning of oil stocks.

and

Should any of these measures become necessary, the Director of Oil Supplies is backed up by tough regulations for their enforcement. These include the powers of entry, inspection and arrest; powers to require any person to keep books and returns which he considers essential; powers to provide against obstruction of the Director or his staff in carrying out their duties; and powers to give directions.

The regulations carry stiff penalties for anyone contravening any orders which may subsequently be made by the Director.

The heaviest penalty, a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years, can be imposed on a supplier who contravenes or fails to comply with any directions given to him on the storage, supply, use or disposal of

any oil.

Mr. Porter said that the regulations have been introduced to provide the means for controlling oil stocks in Hong Kong.

/He