XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 61

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Mr President, I believe that under our proposals, recreational shooting activities will be carried out in a safer manner while remaining as an active sport in Hong Kong. Subject to the approval of the Bill by this Council, the preparatory work for implementing these proposals will take about one year to complete. We will make use of this period to liaise with the clubs to ensure that the detailed licensing conditions. are reasonable and practicable.

Thank you, Mr President.

End

Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill

Following is a speech by the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Miss Denise Yue, in moving the second reading of the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday);

Mr President,

time.

I move that the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill 1996 be read a second

The Bill seeks to amend the definition of "goods in transit" in Section 2(1) of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. An anomaly exists in this definition and has hindered the Customs and Excise Department's effort in combating smuggling from China by vehicle.

Goods in transit are defined as those which are brought into Hong Kong solely for the purpose of taking them out of Hong Kong and which remain on board the same vessel, aircraft or vehicle throughout their passage through Hong Kong. At present such goods are exempted from certain import and export controls stipulated in the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. It is pointless to use resources to control goods that are neither destined for Hong Kong nor discharged in Hong Kong from the means of transport carrying them.

Since no place other than China is contiguous to Hong Kong, goods carried on a vehicle from China can only be destined to Hong Kong or transferred in Hong Kong to another country through other means of transport such as a vessel or aircraft. In the circumstances, such goods do not qualify as goods in transit.