XN000022-1996-06-27 — Page 54

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The main purposes of the Bill are to streamline the procedures in the assessment of duty and in licence and permit control under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, to make improvements to ensure conformity with Bill of Rights requirements and to introduce a compounding scheme to deal more efficiently with minor offences under the Ordinance. The Bills Committee has given us valuable advice and, as a result, I will move at Committee Stage a number of amendments which have been agreed by the Bills Committee. I shall explain at that stage the reasons for these amendments.

Thank you, Mr President.

End

Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill: committee stage

Following is the speech by the Secretary for the Treasury, Mr K C Kwong, in moving the committee stage amendments of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr Chairman,

There has been an increase in the number of offences committed under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance concerning the illegal use of diesel oil involving taxis. To address this problem, we have strengthened the resources of the Customs & Excise Department to tackle such illegal activities and increased the maximum fine for such offences. In addition, we have included in the Bill before Members provisions to subject taxis to seizure on the same basis as private or goods vehicles. However, we note from the discussion with the Bills Committee that some Members are concerned about the possible impact of the proposed amendments on the taxi trade and the related hire purchase operation. We remain of the view that the situation with regard to taxis is serious, and there is no fundamental reason why they should not be treated in the same way as other vehicles. Moreover, there are adequate safeguards in the forfeiture provisions. Nonetheless, taking all factors into consideration, we accept that the concern expressed by some Members is not unreasonable. We are therefore prepared to stay our hand for the time being, and not oppose the Committee Stage Amendments moved by the Hon. Miriam Lau.

That said, we will closely monitor the situation and if it warrants, we may have to introduce the proposal again.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

End