B
· 3
XCR (76)104
Interpretation and General Clauses (Amendment) Bill 1976
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On the assumption that the recommendation is acceptable to Honourable Members, the Interpretation and General Clauses (Amendment) Bill 1976, at Annex B, seeks to effect the change.
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it roles
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Clause 2 of this bill seeks to delete the definitions "Standard Time" and "Summer Time". The retention of the express- ion "Summer Time" for the proposed new time system would imply, incorrectly, that there was also a "Standard Time" and the perpetua- tion of "Standard Time" could also be misleading. Accordingly, it is recommended that the new time system should be called "Hong Kong Time". Clause 3 seeks to repeal the existing sections 67 and 68 of the principal ordinance and, in their place, to define Hong Kong Time as the time used throughout Hong Kong and to specify this to be 9 hours ahead of GMT. This clause also provides for the time difference between Hong Kong Time and GMT to be varied by a reso- lution of the Legislative Council, should this be considered necessary.
Public relations aspects
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It is not possible to expect unanimous public support for any time system and an initial expression of dissatisfaction by some members of the public and various organisations to the fixed- time proposal is likely. However, such dissatisfaction as there may be would probably soon disappear, since Hong Kong is already on Summer Time at present and the adoption of Hong Kong Time would entail no further changes to clocks. Full publicity would be given through the media to announce and explain the reasons for the time system decided on and, as school-children are likely to be the most emotive issue, to further explain that the Director of Education would be prepared sympathetically to consider adjustment of school hours in the winter months when so requested by school principals.
Advice sought
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(a)
(b)
(c)
Honourable Members will be asked to advise:
whether the present dual time system in Hong Kong should be replaced by a fixed time system;
if so, whether this should be called "Hong Kong Time on the basis of GMT+ 9 hours; and
whether the Interpretation and General Clauses (Amendment) Bill 1976, at Annex B, should be introduced into the Legislative Council.