TNAG-1857-FCO40-2632-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 80

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

香港立法局 ·一九八九年七月十二日

12 July 1989

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Having regard to the complexities involved and the need to introduce tougher penalties as quickly as possible, we have concluded that the question of futures contracts should not be addressed in the present Bill. However, I can assure Members that we will carefully examine the question with the Securities and Futures Commission in the light of our experience of the proposed new legislation in operation and will prepare legislative proposals if and when these are considered appropriate.

Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be now adjourned.

Question on the adjournment proposed, put and agreed to.

SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1989

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY moved the Second Reading of: "A Bill to amend the Summary Offences Ordinance."

He said: Sir, I move the Second Reading of the Summary Offences (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1989.

This Bill seeks to reduce noise nuisance caused by audible burglar alarms.

Members of the public, particularly people living in areas where there are a large number of shops and businesses, frequently complain of the noise caused by burglar alarms. Such alarms often ring for very long periods, while the police try to contact the occupiers of the premises concerned to ask them to turn off the alarms.

To reduce this noise nuisance, the Bill proposes that any person in control of an alarm system must fit a device to the system to cut off the audible alarm within 15 minutes of it first ringing. The Bill further proposes that the maximum penalty for not fitting such a device should be a fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment.

There are an estimated 50 000 audible alarms in Hong Kong. It is therefore proposed that, following enactment, there should be a grace period of one year before the Bill's provisions come into effect. The fitting of a cut-off device to an audible alarm is a simple and inexpensive operation.

Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be adjourned.

Question on the adjournment proposed, put and agreed to.

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