TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 186

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retail

work in publicising this problem and encouraging both

tourists and local residents to deal with reputable

outlets. They endeavour to persuade retailers to adopt

those ethical standards upon which our reputation as a

shopping centre depends.

4.

I am firmly of the view that if possible it is

far better to rely on persuasion and publicity rather than

legislation. Nevertheless, the complaints have become SO

numerous that we must now consider what legislative

proposals would be appropriate to meet the abuse. If we

have to legislate I believe that some criminal sanction

would be called for. Members will recollect that the

Trade Descriptions Ordinance already provides for

penalties up to $500,000 and imprisonment for 5 years in

relation to the offence of supplying any goods to which a

false trade description is applied.

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5.

Sir, we will continue to watch the situation

carefully. I hope that those few retailers who now abuse

the commercial freedom afforded to them will heed what I

have said. The unfortunate aspect of this matter is that

if we have to intervene, the burden of compliance could

fall on many innocent and reputable dealers as well as on

the guilty minority.

16. Mr Andrew So