Hong Kong Ordinances

URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY ORDINANCE - SECT 31

Power to enter and inspect

(1) The Secretary or any person authorized by him in writing may, at a
reasonable time, enter and inspect any land or any premises on it situated
within the boundaries of a development scheme or a development project for the
purpose of preparing an assessment required by sections  25 (3)(c) and
29(3)(b) and (c) and for connected purposes.

(2) The Secretary may delegate to the Authority the powers to enter and
inspect as provided under subsection (1).

(3) An authorization issued under subsection (1) may authorize the Authority
or any person authorized by the Authority in writing before the issue of the
authorization to enter the land or any premises on it on such occasions and at
such times as may be necessary for the purpose for which the authorization was
issued.

(4) Where the Secretary, the Authority or any person authorized in writing by
the Secretary or the Authority under delegated authority is unable to effect
an entry to the land or into any premises on it in accordance with subsection
(1), he may serve on the owner and occupier a notice in writing requiring
permission to so enter and inspect and after the expiry of 48 hours from the
service of the notice he may, at any reasonable time during daylight, enter,
using such reasonable force as is necessary therefor, and inspect such land or
premises and take such particulars as he thinks fit.

(5) Where the Authority or any person authorized in writing by the Secretary
or the Authority under delegated authority enters any land or premises under
an authorization issued under this section he shall produce his authorization
and may require any person present on that land or in those premises-

   (a)  to give details of his identity, name and address and produce his
        identity card issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (
        Cap  177) for inspection; or

   (b)  who appears at the time to be a person responsible for or in charge of
        that land or those premises to give such information or render such
        assistance as may be necessary for the purposes of this section.

(6) An authorization issued under subsection (3) shall continue in force until
the purpose for which the entry is necessary has been satisfied.

(7) Any person who-

   (a)  obstructs the Secretary, the Authority or any person authorized in
        writing by the Secretary or the Authority under delegated authority
        from entering or inspecting any land or any premises on it under this
        section;

   (b)  without reasonable excuse, refuses to give details of his identity,
        name and address and produce his identity card issued under the
        Registration of Persons Ordinance ( Cap 177) for inspection when so
        required under subsection (5)(a);

   (c)  gives such information which he knows or reasonably ought to know to
        be false in a material particular; or

   (d)  without reasonable excuse, refuses to give such information or render
        such assistance as may be necessary for the purposes of this section
        when so required under subsection (5)(b), commits an offence and is
        liable-

        (i)    on first conviction to a fine at level 1;

        (ii)   on second or subsequent conviction to a fine at level 3.