SECOND-HAND DEALERS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

2.50 p.m.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The House is already aware of the steps which the Government proposes to take to enhance the penalties for theft of motor vehicles and bicycles and the spare parts thereof. Such stolen property is known to be frequently disposed of by sale to second-hand dealers who may or may not be aware that the property they buy has been unlawfully acquired.

The Second-Hand Dealers Ordinance already makes provision in section 10 for second-hand dealers to record full particulars of all goods bought by them, including the date of the purchase and, the name and address of the vendor, and all goods sold by them. Provided that such particulars are properly recorded, the task of the Police in tracing the disposal of stolen property and the identity of the person disposing it is considerably eased. If, however, there is laxity or deliberate falsification in completing these records, the Police are severely handicapped in their task.

The present Bill is designed to enhance the penalties for failing to comply with the provisions of section 10 of the Second-Hand Dealers Ordinance in respect of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, bicycles and bicycle parts. The present penalties amount to a fine not exceeding $100 for the first offence, and to a fine not exceeding $500 or to imprisonment not exceeding three months for a second and any subsequent offence. The new penalties introduced by the present Bill provide for imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and not less than six months, together with the liability to a fine whether it be for the first, the second or any subsequent offence.

I would stress that those second-hand dealers who conduct their business legally and who do not seek to trade knowingly in stolen property need have nothing to fear from the provisions of this Bill. The Police will, however, proceed with the utmost vigour against any such persons who are found to be knowingly assisting thieves by disposing of the proceeds of their criminal activities.

The opportunity is being taken also to increase the sentence of imprisonment which may be imposed for a second offence under section 10 in respect of stolen property other than motor vehicles, bicycles and spare parts thereof. In this case, the maximum sentence of imprisonment is to be increased from three months to six months, which is considered a more adequate deterrent to any person who shows signs of being a habitual receiver of such property.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Ong Pang Boon].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

2.55 p.m.

Clause 1-

The Chairman: Here again there is a typographical emendation. "1959" will now read "1960". That will be done.

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment; read the Third time and passed.