XN000022-1995-12-20 — Page 13

12 -

"With these initiatives in place, the Director of Marine, is satisfied that he can meet the demands of a vibrant growing port and maintain the present reputation of Hong Kong as a safe and efficient harbour," Mr Tupper said.

End

Regulations to localise UK enactments

As part of an exercise to localise certain United Kingdom enactments relating to seafarers, the Government is introducing a series of regulations or rules made under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance, a Marine Department spokesman said today (Wednesday).

A total of 28 sets of regulations or rules relating to the health, safety and welfare of seafarers and the mercantile marine industry have been prepared under the ordinance.

"Among them, 18 sets of regulations enshrine existing administrative practice in legislation while the others replace the existing items of subsidiary legislation." the spokesman said.

"The Government's intention is to bring the ordinance and its subsidiary legislation into operation on March 1, 1996," the spokesman said.

For administrative convenience, the 28 sets of regulations or rules have been divided into three batches for tabling to the Legislative Council for consideration.

"The first batch of nine sets of regulations will be gazetted this Friday (December 22)," the spokesman said,

The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Allotments) Regulation prescribes the form of an allotment note, provides for the calculation of the amount which may be allotted, and limits the circumstances in which and the number of persons to whom an allotment may be made.

The regulation also prescribes the times and intervals at which the payments under an allotment note are to be made.