LegCo Panel on Security
Outstanding Items for Discussion
(as at 23.10.1996)

A. Items raised by Members

1. Deployment of Mainland Troops in Hong Kong

Members decided at the Panel meeting on 29.1.1996 that this would be a standing item for discussion once every two months as from the April meeting.

2. Entry Visa for Taiwan Visitors

The Secretary for Security’s comments on Members’ suggestions raised at the motion debate on 29.11.1995 for facilitating the entry into Hong Kong of visitors from Taiwan have been circulated vide LegCo Paper No. PL 878/95-96. Members agreed at the Panel meeting on 2.4.1996 that this subject be retained on the list of outstanding items for future discussion.

3. The Problem of Wife Battering

Raised by Hon Mrs Selina CHOW on 20.5.1996. A letter dated 12.6.1996 from Mrs CHOW to the Chairman is attached at Annex.

4. New Policy on the Entry of Immigrants from China

Raised by Hon LAW Chi-kwong on 23.5.1996. Mr LAW recommends :

1. to change the allocation of quota by issuing One-way Exit Permit on the basis of family so that children and their mother will not be separated; and
2. to cooperate with China so that Chinese immigrants may receive proper counselling to better prepare themselves for migration to Hong Kong.

5. Review of Police Power

The Hong Kong Human Rights Commission (HKHRC) and the Society for Community Organization (SoCO) wrote to the Chairman on 20.9.1996 requesting for a meeting with the Panel to discuss the above subject. In order to facilitate the Panel to better understand the two organizations’ points of concern, the Chairman directed that a written submission be requested from them. Their responses are being awaited.

6. Commission of Crimes by Illegal Immigrants

Raised by Hon Mrs Selina CHOW at the Panel meeting on 2.10.1996. She was concerned about the recent increase in the number of illegal immigrants from mainland China and Vietnam and, their commission of crimes in Hong Kong. She would like to know the measures taken/to be taken by the Police to tackle the problem. Members agreed to include this subject into the list of outstanding items for future discussion.

7. Security Measures for the Handover Ceremony in 1997

Raised by Hon IP Kwok-him at the Panel meeting on 7.10.1996. In anticipation of the large number of official guests and tourists coming to Hong Kong for the Handover Ceremony in 1997, Mr IP was concerned about the Administration’s plan for the security measures for the Ceremony and whether the Police Force had sufficient resources to cope with this tremendous task. The Chairman proposed to discuss this item at the Panel meeting to be held in December 1996.

8. The Interpretation and General Clauses (Amendment) Bill 1995

The Administration will conduct a review on whether the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance and the Organised and Serious Crime Ordinance should be exempted from the provisions of the Bill one year after the provisions are brought into effect in early 1996. It will revert to the Panel upon conclusion of the review in early 1997.

9. The Prevention of Bribery (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 1995

The Bills Committee on the Prevention of Bribery (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 1995 has referred the following issues to the Panel :

1. request for discussion papers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)’s Review Committee;
2. ICAC’s power of arrest and procedure after arrest;
3. coordination between the ICAC and the Police;
4. bribery in relation to auctions; and
5. the territorial scope of section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

B. Items proposed by the Secretary for Security

The Secretary for Security proposed on 3.10.1996 to discuss the following items in the Panel meetings to be held in the coming three months :

LegCo Secretariat
23 October 1996

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