TNAG-0860-FCO40-1070-Legislation-for-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 13

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INDEX

SPEECH BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON- WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 1979

MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE

(Chapter 281)

51

PA

18

Sir,

I move the first motion standing in my name on

the Order Paper.

On 10 January this year this Council passed the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1979. That Bill added 4 new sections to the principal Ordinance, ie. sections 34A, 34B, 34C and 34D. The first 3 sections provide for the forfeiture of a passenger ship if the owner or master has committed an offence against section 34 of the principal Ordinance, which relates to the carrying of excess passengers. Detailed provision is made to ensure that no injustice results; the Attorney General's approval is required, notice must be given, claims have to be determined by a magistrate and if the magistrate orders a ship to be forfeited, the owner can appeal to the Governor. Section 34D provides that the preceding 3 sections will expire on 31st of this month unless this Council by resolution otherwise determines.

As Members will recall, these provisions were aimed at ships trafficking in refugees. Circumstances have not yet so altered that we can forgo these defences, and this motion seeks approval for the retention of sections 34A, 34B and 34C until the end of 1980, unless this Council otherwise determines

Sir, I beg to move.