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Aviation Security Bill

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in moving the second reading of the Aviation Security Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

I move the Second Reading of the Aviation Security Bill.

The international civil aviation community has, over the years, developed a framework of measures to combat unlawful acts of interference against aircrafts, airports and passengers. These measures are embodied in several international conventions, including the Chicago, the Tokyo, The Hague and the Montreal Conventions. Together, they established internationally recognised aviation security standards. Both the United Kingdom and China are signatories to these international Conventions.

At present, we rely on UK aviation security related legislation extended to Hong Kong by a number of Orders-in-Council. These Orders, however, are piecemeal by nature, and do not extend all the relevant international requirements to Hong Kong. They will also cease to apply after 30 June 1997. Although the aviation industry has hitherto been very helpful in co-operating with the Government to maintain a high standard of aviation security in Hong Kong, it will be to the advantage of all of us to have a comprehensive statutory framework for implementing aviation security measures, now and beyond 1997. We have a common interest in ensuring the safety of our airport, the aircrafts flying into and out of it, and the passengers they carry.

The proposed Bill is divided into two main parts; the first part localises the UK legislative provisions currently applying to Hong Kong. These provisions specify offences relating to unlawful activities against the safety of an aircraft. Acts which would cause damage or destruction to an aircraft or which endanger the safety of the aircraft, hijacking, and other offences committed on board a Hong Kong registered aircraft will be offences under the Bill.

The second part of the Bill aims to give a statutory basis to the internationally recommended aviation security measures currently implemented through administrative means. A public officer, who shall be designated the Aviation Security Authority, will be responsible for developing and implementing an Aviation Security Programme. This Programme will provide the guidelines and standards for protecting and safeguarding aircrafts, passengers, crews and the general public against any acts of unlawful interference. The Authority will be empowered to issue directions to any company or agency requiring it to comply with specific requirements under the Aviation Security Programme. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement action and penalties.