XN000022-1979-12-12 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1979

FERRY COMPANIES TO CONTINUE SERVICES PENDING NEW LEGISLATION ON FRANCHISE

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY AND THE STAR FERRY COMPANY TO CONTINUE THEIR SERVICES UNTIL THE END OF 1980 PENDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATION ON FERRY FRANCHISES.

MOVING THE RELEVANT MOTIONS IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING THE CONTINUATION OF EXISTING CONCESSIONS. HAVE BEEN AGREED BY THE TWO FERRY COMPANIES, AND ARE NECESSARY AS THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING A NEW DRAFT FERRY SERVICES BILL TO REPLACE EXISTING FERRY SERVICES ORDINANCES.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ORIGINALLY HOPED TO HAVE A FERRY SERVICES BILL ENACTED THIS YEAR.

UNDER THIS BILL, FRANCHISES WILL BE GRANTED TO MAJOR

FERRY OPERATORS AND MINOR OPERATORS WILL BE LICENSED.

HE SAID THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS BEAR SOME SIMILARITY TO THOSE IN THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND WILL SIMPLIFY THE EXISTING PROCEDURES.

THE FRANCHISES COULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1980 WHEN THE EXISTING CONCESSIONS EXPIRED.

+HOWEVER, THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY ON THESE MATTERS ARE PROVING TO BE EXTREMELY DETAILED AND COMPLICATED, COVERING AS THEY DO EVERY ASPECT OF FERRY OPERATIONS AND OF THE GOVERNMENT'S RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMPANY, AND THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED, MR. JONES SAID.

THE INTENTION NOW WAS THAT THE BILL WOULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL NEXT YEAR AND THAT FRANCHISES AND LICENCES WOULD BE GRANTED TO TAKE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1981.

LEGISLATION TO CURB REFUGEE TRAFFICKING REMAINS IN FORCE

TILL END OF 1980

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THAT THE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED EARLY THIS YEAR TO CURB SHIPS FROM TRAFFICKING IN REFUGEES AND TO DEAL WITH LANDING OF REFUGEES SHOULD REMAIN IN FORCE FOR ANOTHER YEAR TILL THE END OF 1980.

MOVING THE MOTION TO RETAIN THE PROVISIONS ADDED TO THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 10 THIS YEAR, THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. GERALD NAZARETH SAID THE PROVISIONS PROVIDE FOR THE FORFEITURE OF A PASSENGER SHIP IF THE OWNER OR MASTER HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE RELATING TO THE CARRYING OF EXCESS PASSENGERS.

/HE NOTED