XN000022-1989-10-25 — Page 16

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1989

TRANSITIONAL

ALLOWED OF

WITH IT DEALT

AND ARRANGEMENTS APPROPRIATE POLICIES OF INSURANCE IN EXISTENCE BEFORE COMMENCEMENT THE ORDINANCE TO REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL RENEWAL.

FOR VESSEL OWNERS MR LEUNG SAID TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME SEEK SUITABLE INSURANCE COVER, PROVISIONS IN THE BILL WOULD COME FORCE SIX MONTHS AFTER ENACTMENT.

TO INTO

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST VICE ESTABLISHMENTS PROPOSED

* * * * * *

THE ADMINISTRATION ENVISAGES THAT PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT} BILL 1989 WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN DEALING WITH NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH VICE ESTABLISHMENTS

WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS IN DISTRICTS CONCERNED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. MR BARNES SAID IT INCLUDED PROVISIONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF SIGNBOARDS ADVERTISING THE SERVICES OF PROSTITUTES AND FOR A SCHEME TO CLOSE FREMISES OR FORFEIT VESSELS WHERE VICE-RELATED OFFENCES HAD REPEATEDLY TAKEN PLACE.

HE EXPLAINED THAT NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION GIVEN RISE TO PROBLEMS OF SECURITY, EMBARRASSMENT AND DISTURBANCE WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND INCONVENIENCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.

HAD ΤΟ

"THESE NUISANCES ARE ACTIONABLE AS CIVIL WRONGS, HOWEVER VERY FEW ACTIONS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSES INVOLVED AND THE TIME TAKEN TO GO THROUGH THE COURT PROCEDURES." HE SAID.

MR BARNES SAID THAT IN RESPONSE TO THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY RESIDENTS OF THESE DISTRICTS. THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD SET UP A WORKING GROUP IN 1983 TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM, AND THE WORKING GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF A NEW SUMMARY PROCEDURE WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY CIVIL IN NATURE,

THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. HOWEVER, CONSIDERED THAT THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE INEFFECTIVE AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO COMPLAIN FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION FROM THE ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES RUNNING THE VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.

"THE COMMITTEE THEREFORE ADVISED THAT A SCHEME BASED ON THE CRIMINAL LAW SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

/"PROPOSALS BASED ....man