XN000022-1996-02-14 — Page 21

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There are different fare scales for both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses. The main reason is because the vehicle price as well as operating costs for air- conditioned buses are higher than those for non air-conditioned buses. The Traffic and Transport Committees of the District Boards are consulted on service proposals and recommended fares.

End

Policies in handling refugees and illegal immigrants

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to the recent statement made by Chinese officials that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government may repatriate all Vietnamese migrants immediately upon their entering the territory after the change in sovereignty in 1997, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the existing laws which govern the policies relating to the handling of refugees and illegal immigrants;

(b) how these policies are now enforced; and,

(c) under what circumstances will the existing policy of "repatriation upon arrest" be implemented?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a) The law governing the handling of illegal immigrants in general is set out in Sections 4, 11, 18, 19 and 38 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). The law relating to the handling of illegal entrants of Vietnamese origin is contained in Part IIIA of the Immigration Ordinance. Extracts of the relevant parts of the Ordinance are attached as Annex to the written version of this reply.