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recruit a cadre of interpreters and provide the
necessary equipment. So far as the Legislative
Council and the Urban Council are concerned, it
is hoped that the system will be in operation
by mid-1972.
Second Report (Submitted in April 1971)
This dealt with the use of the Chinese and English
languages in oral and written communications between
the Government and the public. The proposals which
it contains have also been accepted in principle by
the Hong Kong Executive Council, subject to certain
modifications of a practical nature.
Third Report (Submitted in June 1971)
This was concerned with use of Chinese in court pro-
ceedings and as a language of the law. It raises more
difficult issues and a memorandum covering its sub-
mission to the Executive Council is being prepared in
Hong Kong.
Fourth Report (Submitted in July 1971)
This deals in principle with the status of English and
Chinese and with the promulgation of both languages as
official languages. It is much the most difficult report
for the Hong Kong Government to accept and they are
studying its proposals very carefully, especially in
relation to their possible effect on the recommendations
in the third report.
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