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extends those powers to members of the Essential Services Corps and to
those appointed to guard closed areas by a person authorized in that
behalf in the closed area order. Clause 22 empowers police inspectors
and above to detain and remove unauthorized persons from a closed area.
Past experience has demonstrated the need for a method whereby persons in
charge of important installations, such as oil refineries, gas works or
power stations, which are declared closed areas, can issue entry permits
and appoint guards to protect them.
19.
Clauses 23 and 24 implement the suggestions put forward in
paragraphs 43, 46 to 50 of the Justice Report.
20.
Clause 25 repeals section 49, which conferred wide powers of
search and entry, without warrant, on police officers. These powers have
attracted some criticism and it is now thought that the ordinary powers
conferred upon police officers at common law and by the Police Ordinance
are adequate, short of a serious emergency situation.
21.
By clause 26, a new section 50A is added, to make it an offence
to obstruct members of Her Majesty's Forces, members of the Royal Hong
Kong Defence Force or any other person if they are on duty under the
provisions of this Ordinance. In Hong Kong military personnel frequently
work with the police in times of disturbances and it is desirable that
they be afforded some measure of protection from obstruction. The offence
is at present contained in regulation 113 of the Emergency (Principal)
Regulations, which is to be revoked.
22.
Clause 27 effects a number of minor consequential amendments
to the Trade Union Registration Ordinance.
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