TNAG-0676-FCO40-825-Legislation-for-summary-offences-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 83

C.S. 84

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XCR(77)118

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airport touts under either the Summary Offences Ordinance or under the Hong Kong Airport Regulations provided flexibility and that both provisions should be retained. However, the disparity in penalties should be eliminated. The working party was also strongly of the opinion that without an increase in penalties particularly for habitual offenders, the problem could not be minimised, let alone solved.

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The Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill 1977 at Annex A therefore seeks to provide for a fine of $2,000 and 6 months imprison- ment in respect of second and subsequent offences. The Hong Kong Airport (Amendment) Regulations 1977 at Annex B seek to provide for similar penalties in respect of second and subsequent offences under those provisions of the principal regulations and at the same time to raise the maximum fine which may be imposed on first offenders to the same level as that provided for first offenders under section 6A of the Summary Offences Ordinance, namely $1,000.

Publicity

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Suitable publicity will be given on publication of the bill, but it is not expected that any adverse reaction will arise. Indeed, given the attitude of the non-government bodies mentioned in paragraph 4 above, a favourable reaction is anticipated.

Advice sought

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Honourable Members will be asked to advise:

(a) whether the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill 1977 at

Annex A should be introduced into the Legislative Council, and

(b) whether, under section 4 of the Hong Kong Airport

(Regulations) Ordinance, the Hong Kong Airport (Amendment) Regulations 1977 at Annex B should be made.

(The Director of Civil Aviation (Mr R.E. DOWNING) and Assistant Law Draftsman (Acting) (Mr I. C. RANGEL) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).

22nd April 1977

(ECON 32/2091/74)

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COUNCIL CHAMBER