XN000022-1977-07-20 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, JULI 20, 1977

DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL TO BE MOD IF IED

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TWO MAIN AMENDMENTS WILL BE PROPOSED FOR THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, WHICH SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE POLICE AND THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE TO DETAIN THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF SUSPECTS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SERIOUS DRUG OFFENCES, WHEN IT COMES UP FOR THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (JULY 27).

THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO HAS CONSIDERED THE VIEWS OF AN AD HOC GROUP OF UMELCO MEMBERS UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR. OSWALD CHEUNG.

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THE ORIGINAL BILL PROVIDES THAT A MAGISTRATE MAY AUTHORISE THE POLICE OR THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE, UPON APPLICATION FROM THEM, TO DETAIN THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF A PERSON WHO IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE WITH 15 YEARS OR MORE IMPRISONMENT UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE.

THE DOCUMENTS MAY BE DETAINED INITIALLY FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, AND IF NECESSARY, A FURTHER THREE MONTHS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR INVESTIGATION.

ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS SCHEDULED TO BE MADE ON WEDNESDAY WILL PROVIDE THAT A TRAVEL DOCUMENT MAY BE DETAINED FOR THREE MONTHS AND, IF THE MAGISTRATE IS SATISFIED THAT THE INVESTIGATION COULD NOT REASONABLY HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IN THAT TIME, FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO FURTHER PERIODS OF THREE MONTHS,

THE OTHER MAIN AMENDMENT WILL INTRODUCE A NEW PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH A PERSON WHO HAS SURROUNDED HIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT MAY APPLY TO THE POLICE OR THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE FOR ITS RETURN. THE PROCEDURE WILL ENABLE THE APPLICANT TO PUT FORWARD ANY URGENT PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY JUSTIFY HIS LEAVING HONG KONG.

IF HIS APPLICATION IS REFUSED HE MAY APPLY ON THE SAME GROUNDS TO A MAGISTRATE WHOSE DECISION WILL BE FINAL.

JOINT SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT EXHIBITION ***

SOCIAL STUDIES HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES AND PROBLEMS AND SO HAVE MORE SYMPATHY WITH THEM, MR. AUTHUR BROWN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS) SAID THIS TODAY IN HIS OPENING REMARKS OF THE JOINT SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT EXHIBITION HELD IN THE SCHOOL OF HO TUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL, CAUSEWAY BAY.

THE EXHIBITION WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND 15 +MONITORED+ SCHOOLS.

+THE SUBJECT AIMS AT TEACHING THE STUDENTS ABOUT THE IR SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS PREPARING THEM TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY LIVE, + MR. BROWN ADDED.

THE EXHIBITION WILL LAST FOR THREE DAYS UNTIL FRIDAY (JULY 22). OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

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