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FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1984

IN PREPARATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION, THE GOVERNMENT TODAY PUBLISHED A MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WHICH WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE NUMBERS OF RATINGS EMPLOYED ON BOARD SHIP, THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND THE FUNCTIONS THEY PERFORM. THE EXISTING ORDINANCE ALREADY COVERS THE MAKING OF REGULATIONS FOR THE MANNING OF SHIPS BY OFFICERS AND THE IR QUALIFICATIONS,

IF THIS BILL IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, FOUR SETS OF REGULATIONS WILL BE MADE AND THE CONVENTION WILL BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG THREE MONTHS AFTERWARDS.

THE REGULATIONS WILL NOT APPLY TO FISHING VESSELS AND PLEASURE CRAFT, AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WILL BE EMPOWERED TO EXEMPT SHIPS OR CLASSES OF SHIPS FROM THE PROVISIONS.

THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 16 FOR FIRST READING AND TO GO THROUGH THE REMAINING LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES ON MAY 30.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE BILL MAY WRITE TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG,

NOTE TO EDITORS:

GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR LONDON

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THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.

THEY ARE TO LEAVE ON FLIGHT CX 251, ETD 10 AM,

A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR COVERAGE OF THEIR DEPARTURE.

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING BY 8.45 AM TOMORROW.

GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

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