XN000022-1993-07-14 — Page 41

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1993

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IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J D MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THERE TO MINIMISE ANY POSSIBLE RISKS.

IN ADDITION, MR ASPREY SAID, PILOTAGE WAS COMPULSORY FOR ALL VESSELS OVER 5,000 GROSS REGISTERED TONS.

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDES DEDICATED LAUNCHES FOR ESCORTING LARGE VESSELS IN TRANSIT AROUND MA WAN.

ALL LOCAL CRAFT, AND OCEAN-GOING VESSELS LOADING AND UNLOADING IN HONG KONG, ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROL UNDER LOCAL LAW.

SPECIFICALLY, THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS ON VESSELS IS REGULATED BY THE DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) REGULATIONS, HE SAID.

OTHER VESSELS IN TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS LAW, BUT THEY MUST COMPLY WITH ALL THE SAFETY STANDARDS LAID DOWN UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONVENTIONS, THE SECRETARY ADDED.

STAY EXTENSION CRITERIA FOR VISITORS ARE ADEQUATE

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ONLY GRANTS EXTENSIONS OF STAY TO VISITORS WITH A GENUINE REASON TO STAY LONGER AND THE MEANS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES LEGALLY IN THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

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A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THESE CRITERIA WERE ADEQUATE.

"IT IS NOT OUR POLICY TO GRANT VISITORS EXTENSIONS OF STAY BEYOND ONE YEAR, MR ASPREY SAID.

"

HE POINTED OUT THAT VISITORS, FOUND IN NON-APPROVED EMPLOYMENT IN THE TERRITORY, WERE IN BREACH OF THEIR CONDITIONS OF STAY.

UNDER SECTION 41 OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, HE

SAID, THEY WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND IF CONVICTED, TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.

A

"IF TOURISTS ARE PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED OF HAWKING WITHOUT LICENCE, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS UNLIKELY TO GRANT THEM ANY FURTHER EXTENSION OF STAY, MR ASPREY SAID.

HE SAID IMMIGRATION OFFICERS CONDUCTED SURPRISE VISITS ΤΟ LOCATIONS WHERE FOREIGN WORKERS WERE SUSPECTED TO BE ILLEGALLY EMPLOYED.

URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF ALSO TOOK ACTION AGAINST ALL UNLICENSED HAWKERS.

/THE URBAN