XN000022-1976-12-01 — Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976

TALKS ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. C.P. HADDON-CAVE, WILL BE LEAVING FOR ENGLAND TOMORROW EVENING (THURSDAY).

HE WILL JOIN THE GOVERNOR IN LONDON AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK FOR DISCUSSIONS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HONG KONG'S AFFAIRS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK AND THEREAFTER MR. HADDON-CAVE WILL TAKE A FORTNIGHT'S LEAVE BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG.

EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORT SECURITY SYSTEM FURTHER IMPROVED

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REGULATIONS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING AND PROVIDING ENHANCED LEGAL BACKING TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE NEW LAW MAINLY IMPROVES THE AIRPORT PERMIT SYSTEM UNDER WHICH AN UNAUTHORISED PERSON IS PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING OR DRIVING A VEHICLE INTO ANY RESTRICTED AREAS AT KAI TAK WITHOUT A PERMIT.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THIS REGULATION IS

A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.

UNDER THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (RESTRICTED AREAS) REGULATIONS 1976, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IS EMPOWERED TO DECLARE ANY AREA WITHIN THE AIRPORT TO BE A RESTRICTED AREA, OR, WHERE THE AREA IS HELD UNDER LEASE OR LICENCE FROM THE CROWN, A TENANT RESTRICTED AREA.

THE DIRECTOR CAN ISSUE AN AIRPORT PERMIT TO AN UNAUTHOR I SED PERSON FOR ACCESS TO THE RESTRICTED AREAS IN CONNECTION WITH THE LATTER'S WORK OR BUSINESS, A FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH PERMIT ISSUED.

HOWEVER, THE DIRECTOR CAN ALSO CANCEL OR WITHDRAW A PERMIT FOR SECURITY OR OTHER REASONS AS HE SEES FIT.

IN A TENANT RESTRICTED AREA, THE AIRPORT TENANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PREVENT ANY UNAUTHORISED PEOPLE FROM ENTERING THE AREA, AND TO PROTECT THE AREA AGAINST SECURITY OR SAFETY RISKS.

COMMENTING ON THE REGULATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR. ROY DOWNING, SAID STEPS TO IMPROVE SECURITY AT THE AIRPORT WERE TAKEN IN 1969 BY WAY OF A PERMIT SYSTEM, INTRODUCED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, PROVIDING FOR THE ZONING OF RESTRICTED AREAS WITHIN THE AIRPORT.

+THERE ARE NO DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE NEW REGULATIONS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM WITH PROPER LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT,+ HE ADDED.

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