XN000022-1992-12-09 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1992

IN

BY

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI KA-CHEUNG THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY SAID MANY LOANSHARKING ACTIVITIES WERE OPERATED ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES.

IN

THUS A SECTION OF THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE IS INCLUDED THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL SO THAT THE ENHANCED SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE POWERS PROPOSED IN THE BILL CAN APPLY TO THIS OFFENCE.

THE INCLUSION MAY ALSO ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONFISCATE THE PROCEEDS OF A CONVICTED OF THIS OFFENCE AND CAN ALLOW THE PROSECUTION TO PRESENT INFORMATION то THE COURT TO ARGUE FOR A HEAVIER SENTENCE.

MR ASPREY SAID PUBLICITY EMPHASISED THE ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC NOT TO BORROW MONEY FROM LOANSHARKS.

THE POLICE ALSO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO REPORT LOANSHARKING ACTIVITIES AND TO BE WILLING TO GIVE EVIDENCE AGAINST OFFENDERS.

"THE POLICE INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY ALL REPORTS ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES TO DEMAND DEBTS, HE SAID.

SUSPECTED IN COURT

ASSOCIATED

MEASURES TO REDUCE NOISE LEVELS

PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REDUCE THE STIPULATED NOISE LEVELS UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE TO CONTROL INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL NOISES IN ANTICIPATION OF A RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATION OF A QUIETER ENVIRONMENT.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND CHI- LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG WOOD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR EASON SAID THE REVISED ACCEPTABLE NOISE LEVELS SPECIFIED IN THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM UNDER THE ORDINANCE WERE INTRODUCED ON NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.

TN 1990 AND 1991, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT THE POLICE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 8,835 COMPLAINTS ON NOISE NUISANCE, WHICH 4,002 WERE ON INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL NOISE.

AND

OF

MR EASON SAID ACTION IN THE FORMS OF ADVICE, WARNING OR SERVICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES WAS REQUIRED IN 1,515 OR 38 CENT OF THE 4,002 CASES BECAUSE THE NOISE LEVELS EXCEEDED STIPULATED LIMITS.

THE

PER

THE

THE REMAINING 2,487 OR 62 PER CENT WERE FOUND TO BE WITHIN NOISE LIMITS.

THE

/MR EASON