5
"The Bill proposes in clause 50, to reflect this decision by deleting those words from the section," he said.
However, he stressed that this amendment would not lead to any weakening of the law relating to offensive weapons. Adequate provision to deal with such weapons was found in the remaining part of section 17 of the Ordinance and in section 33 of the Public Order Ordinance.
Concerning the court's power to hold criminal proceedings in closed court, Mr Mathews said the Bill sought to amend section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.
He said: "Under the Bill, this power will only be exercisable if the court is satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of justice or public order or security to close the court.
"The Bill also allows part of the proceedings to be held in closed court and provides that the alleged offence, the verdict and sentence must be publicly announced.
"Under the new provision, there will also be a right of appeal against any closure order," he noted.
Introducing other miscellaneous amendments in the Bill, Mr Mathews said one amendment made it clear that, where a deceased person had expressed a request that his or her body, or any part of it, be used for certain purposes, in particular for an organ transplant, that request should prevail over any views of his or her next of kin.
Another significant amendment provided that when determining a prisoner's eligibility for release under supervision, any period he or she spent in custody before conviction, as well as after, must be taken into account, Mr Mathews said.
End/Wednesday, May 10, 1995
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