TNAG-1733-FCO40-2446-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 220

9

O

in enforcement of the existing law, or a reluctance

on the part of the police to prosecute. And does

this insignificantly low number fail to deter the

rapid growth of malpractice, and does Government

intend to step up prosecution as an effective

follow-up to complaints?

SECRETARY

FOR

TRANSPORT:

Sir, I think I said the prosecution rate is about

per cent

20 of those complaints received. There are various

reasons why a prosecution cannot be brought forward;

the first is that a complainant

withdraws his complaint, or he

subsequently

cannot be contacted

by the police. The second reason is that an

incorrect vehicle registration number has been given

and the third reason was that the evidence was

considered insufficient by the police for a

successful prosecution.

MR. CHUNG:

Sir, could the Secretary inform this Council

whether where necessary the Government would pay

for all the travelling expenses in order to

encourage the tourists to come here to give evidence

in court?

SECRETARY

FOR

TRANSPORT:

Sir, I think if a tourist is involved, the police

will normally

consider

人

the question of arrest so that

while the tourist is still in Hong Kong, the

prosecution can be brought forward, and there have

been cases where tourists were brought back at the