DANGEROUS DRUGS(TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Chief Minister: If it please you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is my duty to move, and I do move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

It is a very short Bill, Sir, and there is only one minor point. The main Ordinance came into force in February of this year and it was discovered that, although all first offences could be taken by the Police Courts, second offences in respect of possession of opium or opium utensils attract a punishment of one year's imprisonment. As Police Courts have only powers to give six months' imprisonment, they therefore have no power to deal with second offences, although they have considerable experience in dealing with first offences. Sir, there is no reason why the Police Courts should not have this power, and the amendment to subsection (1) of section 41 is intended to provide that Police Courts, as well as District Courts, should have the power to hear second offences under the provisions of the Ordinance.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.