TNAG-1729-FCO40-2442-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 226

محبيه

la.

Export Ordinance, the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the Copyright Ordinance and the Control of Obscene

and Indecent Articles Ordinance. Penalties for

these offences are reviewed regularly. Depending on the nature of the offence and the goods involved

or the Customs and Excise Department

either the police

take action. Any such action is usually directed

against the individuals involved rather than against the

a business

itself.

I am not sure that the revocation of a business

registration certificate would be an effective measure

in this context. The requiremont to hold a business

registration certificate is to ensure that the Inland

Department

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Revenue, has a record of all businesses for taxation

purposes. It is unlikely that the revocation of

business registration certificates would prevent such businesses carrying on illegally, and of course there

would be nothing to prevent the principal re-registering

or proprietor.

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under a different name. I fear that the effect would

be a weakening of our revenue control without a significant strengthening of our ability to control businesses dealing in smuggled, counterfeit or pornographic goods.

I have asked the departments involved with this matter to consider whether further measures are

necessary and in the light of their responses, I shall consider referring the matter to the Fight Crime

";