XN000022-1995-02-15 — Page 41

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Two bills introduced into LegCo

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Gordon Siu, in moving the second reading of the Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Bill and Nuclear Material (Liability for Carriage) Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

With your permission I shall move the second reading of both the Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Bill and the Nuclear Material (Liability for Carriage) Bill.

First the Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to implement in Hong Kong legislation the Convention on the Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences which was drawn up in Geneva in 1974 under the auspices of the United Nations. A liner conference is a group of carriers providing international services for the carriage of cargo on particular routes with an agreement whereby its members operate under uniform or common freight rates and any other agreed conditions. The Code of Conduct establishes rules designed to ensure a balance of interests between suppliers and users of liner shipping services; to avoid discrimination against shipowners and shippers of the foreign trade of any country; and to ensure transparency of information to interested parties.

This Code already applies to Hong Kong, and is implemented here by the United Kingdom legislation extended to Hong Kong. It is necessary to enact local legislation, namely, the Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Bill, to replace the United Kingdom enactments so that their legal effect will continue after 30 June 1997. This systematic localisation of United Kingdom merchant shipping legislation has been underway for some years and has involved the enactment of primary and subsidiary legislation addressing such issues as marine pollution, shipping safety and the establishment of the Hong Kong shipping register.

The continued application to Hong Kong of the Convention will ensure that liner conferences which are based in Hong Kong are governed by uniform rules in accordance with international practices. As merchant shipping activities make a significant contribution to Hong Kong's economy, it is important that we continue to apply internationally recognised rules to our shipping industry and international trade. The Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Bill will help to achieve this aim.