TNAG-0354-FCO40-390-Legislation-for-immigration-and-deportation-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 38

R

RV IN

N.51

19 JUL 1972

AKK 18/10

4

Friday, July 14, 1972

(24)

ADDITIONAL POWERS FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS

An amending bill to facilitate the processing of applications

concerning extensions of stay and conditions of stay in Hong Kong will

be introduced into the Legislative Council shortly.

The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1972, published in today's

Government Gazette, seeks to delegate to Immigration Officers certain

duties and powers now vested in the Director, Deputy Director and any

Assistant Director of Immigration.

It amends the principal Ordinance to provide for an Immigration

Officer to grant extensions of stay and to impose, cancel or vary

any conditions of stay.

Another proposed amendment enables any Immigration Assistant,

in addition to an Immigration Officer, to exercise powers related to their

normal duties in immigration control.

A Government spokesman said hundreds of applicantions for extensions

of stay and variations in conditions of stay were being handled by the

Immigration Department every day, and it was impossible for the Directorate

to deal with them all.

The spokesman added: "If these powers are not delegated to

Immigration Officers, considerable delays in dealing with such applications

will develop with resultant inconvenience to members of the public."

/Safegurads