XN000022-1979-04-25 — Page 12

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1979

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THE HON, CHARLES YEUNG SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL BUT REGRETTED THAT THE LOOPHOLE OPEN TO POTENTIAL BORROWERS THROUGH THE INTER-BANK MARKET, WHICH HE POINTED OUT DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, HAD NOT BEEN PLUGGED.

HE NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD NOT DISPUTED THE EXISTENCE OF THE LOOPHOLE BUT TRUSTED THE GOODWILL AND CO-OPERATION OF THE BANKING COMMUNITY IN ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL.

IT WOULD BE A CASE OF GREAT MISCHIEF HE SAID, IF THE EFFECTS OF THE BILL ARE CAPABLE OF BEING FRUSTRATED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BANKING COMMUNITY WHO HAVE HAD TO RELY ON THE INTER-BANK MARKET FOR HONG KONG DOLLAR FUNDS WITH WHICH TO +ON-LEND+ TO THE IR NON-BANK CUSTOMERS.

BILL SEEKS TO ENLARGE LOITERING LAW

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ENLARGE THE LOITERING LAW TO HELP IN CRIME PREVENTION AND GENERALLY HELP THE POLICE FORCE TO MINIMISE THE PUBLIC MANIFESTATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THUGS OR BULLIES RECEIVED ITS SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN MOVING THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1979, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY SAID THE AIM MUST BE TO OBTAIN MASTERY OF THE GANGS, WHICH HE STRESSED IS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PUBLIC CO-OPERATION WHICH IS NEEDED IF THE REAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GANGS ARE TO BE TACKLED SUCCESSFULLY.+

LAW.

THE BILL, HE SAID, PROPOSED THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN THE

FIRST, THE CURRENT LOITERING OFFENCE IS LIMITED TO LOITER ING BETWEEN SUNSET AND 6 A.M. AND REQUIRES THE DEFENDANT ONLY TO GIVE A SATISFACTORY ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF. THE PROPOSED PROVISION OMITS THE RESTRICTION AND, IN ADDITION TO REQUIRING THE DEFENDANT TO ACCOUNT FOR HIMSELF, SPECIFICALLY REQUIRES HIM TO ACCOUNT FOR HIS PRESENCE IN THE PLACE WHERE HE WAS LOITERING.

SECOND, THE PROPOSED PROVISION MAKES IT AN OFFENCE TO LOITER IN A WAY WHICH OBSTRUCTS THE USE OF PUBLIC PLACES AND THE COMMON PARTS OF BUILDINGS BY OTHERS.

THIRD, SUB-SECTION 1 (C) OF THE PROPOSED SECTION 160, WHICH IS OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE, IS AIMED AT THE MENACE WHICH GANGS PRESENT EVEN THOUGH THEIR BEHAVIOUR ON ANY PARTICULAR- OCCASION MAY BE PASS IVE.

IT MAKES IT AN OFFENCE IF THE PRESENCE OF A PERSON WHO LOITERS IN A PUBLIC PLACE OR THE COMMON PARTS OF A BUILDING, EITHER ON HIS OWN OR WITH OTHERS, GIVES ANOTHER PERSON CAUSE TO BE CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY OR WELL-BEING.

MR. HOBLEY