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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 new clauses 25A, 25B, 27A, and 38A read out just now be read the Second time. The contents are 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.
The new clauses 25A and 25B amends sections 18 and 20 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Certification and Licensing) Regulation ("Regulation") to clarify the extent to which the Director may restrict the plying area of a local vessel to ensure safety. The new clause 27A proposes textual amendments to section 33 of the Regulation to improve its drafting.
The new clause 38A amends section 39(1) of the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (SPCO) to empower the Director and inspectors to require the production of any register required to be kept under section 80 of the SPCO, instead of only those required to be kept under Part V of the SPCO, which has a narrower coverage. This mirrors the arrangements in section 40(1) of the LVO.
Madam President, I urge Members to support the addition of the above new clauses.
Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:44
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