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Following is the translation of the speech by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in moving Committee Stage Amendments of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2005 at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 30):
Madam President,
I move that clauses 2, 4, 5, 9, 12, 17, 31 and 37 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2005 be amended, as set out in the paper circulated to Members. These proposed amendments have taken into account the views and suggestions of Members of the Bills Committee and received their agreement.
Clause 2 is amended to improve the definition of the terms "lifting gear" and the Chinese version of "crane" in the Bill. We also propose to make textual amendments to the definition of the term "protection and indemnity association".
Clause 4 is amended to provide clearly that in considering the conditions to be imposed on a surveyor authorized under section 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (LVO) to carry out surveys and approve plans, the Director of Marine shall have regard to all relevant considerations including the experience and competency of the surveyor. We also propose to delete section 7(6) of the LVO because the detailed requirements regarding vessel survey and inspection by authorised surveyors which it contains will be set out in the Codes of Practice to be issued under section 8 of the LVO.
Clause 5 is amended to mirror the provision in the amended clause 4 for authorised surveyors and apply the same to recognised government authorities under section 7A of the LVO. We also propose to make a textual amendment to section 7A(1) of the LVO.
Clause 9 is amended to make textual improvements to sections 23F, 23G and 23I. It also recasts section 23K regarding the requirements to produce insurance policy to enhance its clarity and readability.
Clause 12 is amended to delete section 63A(2) since the detailed requirements regarding vessel survey and inspection by government surveyors which it contains will be set out in the Codes of Practice to be issued under section 8 of the LVO.
Clauses 17 and 31 are amended to make textual improvements to section 89(1)(i) and section 94(1)(k) of the LVO respectively.
Clause 37(b) is amended to improve the definition of "lifting gear" and the Chinese definition of "crane".
Thank you, Madam President.
Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:41
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