TNAG-2862-FCO40-4116-Article-XIX-(lobby-group-for-press-freedom)-and-Hong-Kong-Jo-1993 — Page 51

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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26-MAR-1993

15:06

CAB

Legislation

L. Securities and

Futures Commission

(SFC) Ordinance

M.

Inland Revenue Ordinance

N. Summary

Offences Ordinance

Nature of Problem

Under the existing provisions, tribunals of three individuals are formed from members of the SFC Appeal Panel to hear appeals against decisions of the SFC that affect registered persons. The Panel must include at least 4 non-executive directors of the SFC and each tribunal must include one of those directors. The presence of a director of the SFC on a tribunal may be inconsistent with Art. 10 of the BOR which provides for fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal.

There is insufficient judicial input on the grant of stop orders to prevent persons from leaving HK without paying the tax or furnishing security to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.

S. 4(29): requirement for Police permit for use of loudhailers might infringe upon freedom of expression.

Relevant Action

A bill to amend s. 18 and 20 of the SFC Ordinance to replace non-executive directors on the Panel with up to four independent persons was passed by Lego on 16.12.92 and gazetted on 24.12.92. The Governor has appointed 1.2.93 as the commencement date of the changes.

The Inland Revenue (Amendment)

(No. 5) Bill 1992 was introduced into Lego on 25.11.92, seeking to amend the provision to empower CIR to issue stop orders subject to rights of review and appeal.

Consideration is being given to whether this provision should be repealed in the context of the Public Order (Amendment) Bill mentioned in Item A.

Target date for completion of the review

completed

Target dat or introduction of amending legislation/subsidiary legislation (if necessary

amended

completed

introduced

March 1993

May 1993

+ 852 840 1528

P.07

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