TNAG-1689-FCO40-2339-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 43

CAP. 268]

Control of Publications Consolidation

[1979 Ed.

Council, be registered until a deposit of $10,000 has been made with the Registrar by or on behalf of the person seeking registra- tion. Such consent may be given subject to such condition as the Governor in Council may see fit to impose and such deposit, while under the control of the Registrar, shall bear interest at the like rate as is for the time being allowed by the Government in respect of sums bearing interest which are on deposit with the Director of Accounting Services.

(2) The money thus deposited shall be available to pay any fine which may be imposed upon the proprietor, printer, publisher or editor of the newspaper in question, either under this Ordinance or in respect of any matter appearing in the said newspaper, and shall also be available to pay any damages that may be awarded in any action for libel in respect of any matter appearing in the said newspaper and the costs of any such action.

(3) The Registrar may direct that the whole of such money or such part as may be necessary shall be paid out in respect of such fine, damages or costs.

(4) When any money has been paid out under subsection (3) the Registrar may in his discretion suspend the registration of the newspaper concerned until a deposit has been made with him, in respect of the newspaper concerned, equal to the amount paid out under his direction, and during the period of such suspension the newspaper shall be deemed to be not registered.

(5) The proprietor of any local newspaper may at any time give notice to the Registrar that he desires the registration of the newspaper to cease and the Registrar may on the receipt of such notice cancel the registration and the newspaper shall cease to be registered from the date of such cancellation.

(6) After the expiration of 6 months from any such can- cellation of registration or, in his discretion, before the expiration of that period, the Registrar may direct that the sum deposited in respect of such newspaper, or so much of such sum as remains deposited, shall be repaid to the person entitled to receive the same.

(7) It shall be lawful for the Registrar to accept in lieu of the deposit $10,000 a bond in the said amount, by the person seeking the registration together with 2 sufficient sureties approved by the Registrar, conditioned for the payment of any fine which may be imposed upon the proprietor, printer, publisher or editor of the newspaper in question either under this Ordinance or in respect of any matter appearing in the said newspaper, and also for the payment of any damages that may be awarded in any action for libel in respect of any matter appearing in the said newspaper and the costs of any such action.

(8) Wherever the Registrar has accepted a bond in lieu of the deposit referred to in subsection (1), the Registrar may in his dis- cretion demand such deposit and may suspend the registration of