XN000022-1992-12-09 — Page 21

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1992

MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON WASTEWATER DISCHARGE

*

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE LEGAL CONTROL ON WATER POLLUTION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LANDS,

{ AMENDMENT) BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND MR TONY EASON, SAID THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO REQUIRE THE CONNECTION OF WASTEWATER ΤΟ

PUBLIC SEWERAGE.

OF

"UNDER REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE BILL, THE DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MAY SERVE NOTICE AND REQUIRE PROPERTY OWNERS TO CONVEY THEIR WASTEWATER TO A TERMINAL MANHOLE, MR EASON SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT MAY THEN CONNECT UP THE TERMINAL MANHOLE TO NEW

PUBLIC SEWERAGE.

THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REQUIRE OWNERS OF PRIVATE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES TO ENSURE PROPER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR FACILITIES.

A SEPARATE

MATTERS

"TO PROTECT OUR SEWERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FURTHER, OFFENCE WILL BE CREATED FOR DISCHARGING POISONOUS AND NOXIOUS

INTO COMMUAL SEWERS OR DRAINS, MR EASON SAID.

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DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

MOTION TO FURTHER DEAL WITH SMUGGLING PASSED

ΤΟ

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION EXTEND SECTION 18 (3) AND PARTS VIIA AND VIIB OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE FOR A FURTHER ONE YEAR TO DEAL WITH A SMUGGLING PROBLEM.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID SECTION 18(3) REMOVED THE LIMIT OF TWO MONTHS DURING WHICH AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER MIGHT REMOVE A PERSON REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND IN HONG KONG, IF IT APPEARED TO THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION THAT THAT PERSON WAS PREVIOUSLY RESIDENT IN VIETNAM.

HE SAID THIS SUBSECTION HAD BEEN RE-ENACTED ANNUALLY AND WOULD EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR UNLESS EXTENDED BY RESOLUTION OF THIS COUNCIL.

MR ASPREY SAID PARTS VIIA AND VIIB OF THE ORDINANCE WERE ENACTED IN 1979 TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE TRAFFICKING IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

UNDER THESE PROVISIONS, ANY PERSON WHO HELPED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ENTER HONG KONG COMMITTED AN OFFENCE.

"OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF UP TO $5 MILLION AND TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

/"THE SHIPS