XN000022-1985-05-10 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1985

WITNESSES GIVING EVIDENCE WILL HAVE THE SAME PROTECTION AS THEY WOULD HAVE BEFORE A COURT OF LAW AND, UNLESS WITH THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR, EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE ARMED FORCES OR MATTERS AFFECTING THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG MAY NOT BE GIVEN BEFORE THE COUNCIL OR ITS COMMITTEES.

THE BILL ALSO CONFIRMS MEMBERS' RIGHT TO EXEMPTION FROM JURY SERVICE, AND ALLOWS THEM TO BE EXEMPT FROM ATTENDANCE AS A WITNESS IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS ON A DAY WHEN THE COUNCIL IS SITTING.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, AS IS THE CASE IN OTHER LEGISLATURES, WILL BE EMPOWERED TO REGULATE THE ADMITTANCE OF +STRANGERS+ (ANYBODY OTHER THAN THE MEMBERS OR OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL) TO THE COUNCIL AND ITS PRECINCTS.

IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO DEFAME ANY MEMBER IN REFERENCE TO HIS ACTIONS OR STATEMENTS IN THE COUNCIL OR ITS COMMITTEES, OR TO PUBLISH A REPORT OF ANY PROCEEDING NOT HELD IN PUBLIC WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE COUNCIL.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR REFUSAL TO BE EXAMINED BEFORE THE COUNCIL OR INTERFERENCE WITH A WITNESS IS $10 000 AND 12 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. THOSE WHO GIVE FALSE EVIDENCE INTENTIONALLY AND THOSE WHO PUT OUT DEFAMATORY OR UNAUTHORISED PUBLICATIONS MAY BE FINED UP TO $50 000 AND IMPRISONED FOR THREE YEARS.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 IS EXPECTED TO HAVE ITS RESUMED SECOND READING DEBATE ON MAY 29. PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR. CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

COMPULSORY PILOTAGE OF SHIPS PROPOSED *****

AN AMENDMENT BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR SHIPS WHILE NAVIGATING WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

UNDER THE PILOTAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, COMPULSORY PILOTAGE IS REQUIRED FOR SHIPS OVER 10 000 TONS (GROSS REGISTERED TONNAGE); SHIPS OVER 1 000 TONS PROCEEDING TO OR FROM SPECIFIED WHARVES AND CONTAINER TERMINALS SHIPS OVER 1 000 TONS CARRYING SPECIFIED DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPS OVER 1 000 TONS PROCEEDING TO OR FROM ALL GOVERNMENT MOORINGS; AND SHIPS OVER 300 TONS WHICH ARE DISABLED FOR ANY REASON OR WHICH ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

/UNDER PRESENT