XN000022-1980-01-16 — Page 17

15

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980

ANOTHER COUNCILLOR, THE HON WONG LAM, ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THE LICENCE FEES FOR FISH CULTURE OPERATIONS SHOULD NOT BE TOO HIGH AT FIRST.

HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD, AFTER TWO YEARS, EXAMINE THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN IMPLEMENTING THE LEGISLATION AND THE TURNOVER ACHIEVED BY FISH FARMERS, SO AS TO MAKE A REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT.

REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO

****

A BILL WHICH ENABLES REGULATIONS TO BE MADE FOR EXCLUDING CERTAIN PERSONS FROM REGISTERING AND OBTAINING IDENTITY CARDS" WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID IF IT WAS PASSED, IT WAS INTENDED TO EXCLUDE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ALLOWED TO STAY TEMPORARILY IN HONG KONG PENDING RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS FROM ANY ENTITLEMENT TO REGISTER AND BE ISSUED WITH IDENTITY CARDS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED COMPREHENSIVE RECORDS OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG AND THEY WERE ISSUED WITH IDENTITY PAPERS BY THE MANAGERS OF THE VARIOUS REFUGEE CAMPS. AT PRESENT THERE ARE ABOUT 55 000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.

+THERE IS THEREFORE NO PRACTICAL REASON FOR THEM TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

REPORT ON HK EXHIBITION CENTRE UNDER STUDY

*****

THE CONSULTANT'S REPORT ON THE NEED FOR AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED IN DETAIL, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR LAWRENCE MILLS SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ALLEN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MILLS SAID THE REPORT WAS RECEIVED BY HIS DEPARTMENT ON JANUARY 2.

/10 WAS