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Ordinance and the section can be clarified to put this beyond doubt.
Paragraph 53. This reproduces a section which has been part of
Hong Kong law for a long time. I have not heard any complaint that it has worked unfairly.
Paragraph 54. As a result of the repeal of the Peace Preservation Ordinance, the deletion of paragraph 9 of the Schedule to Cap. 22 is a necessary consequential amendment, since that paragraph 9 refers to the
repealed Ordinance.
Paragraph 55. The previous position was that two licences were needed for a public meeting in the City Hall, one under the Summary Offences Ordinance, and one under the City Hall Ordinance. The suggestion that two should not be required will be considered further.
Paragraph 56. The Bill was not "rushed through" the Legislative Council. It was published on 6th October, its first reading was taken on 1st November, and second and third Readings on 15th November, which is the
normal interval.
There was a press release on 6th October, which was widely reported. It can only be accurate to say that the existence of the Bill was not generally known until after the First Reading (on 1st November) if you assume that few people read newspapers.