1370
Penalty for printing false copy of Ordin- ance, Journal,
etc.
Protection of persons responsible for publications authorized
by the Council.
Publication of extracts of
proceedings without malice.
Powers of Speaker to be supplementary to powers under the Constitutions and Elections Ordinance. Cap. 162.
CAP. 167) Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges).
19. Any person who shall print or cause to be printed a copy of any Ordinance now or hereafter in force, or a copy of any report, paper, minutes or votes and proceedings of the Council as purporting to have been printed by the Government Printer or by or under the authority of the Council or by the Speaker, and the same is not so printed, or shall tender in evi- dence any such copy as purporting to be so printed knowing that the same was not so printed, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction upon indictment to imprison- ment for a term not exceeding three years.
20. Any person, being a defendant in any civil or criminal proceedings instituted for or on account or in respect of the publication by such person or by his servant, by order or under the authority of the Council, of any reports, papers, minutes, votes or proceedings, may, on giving to the plaintiff or prosecutor, as the case may be, twenty-four hours' written notice of his intention, bring before the court in which such civil or criminal proceedings are being held a certificate under the hand of the Speaker stating that the reports, papers, minutes, votes or proceedings in respect whereof such civil or criminal proceedings have been instituted were published by such person or by his servant by order or under the authority of the Council together with an affidavit verifying such certificate, and such court shall thereupon immediately stay such civil or criminal proceedings and the same and every process issued therein shall be deemed to be finally determined.
21. In any civil or criminal proceedings for printing any extract from or an abstract of any report, paper, votes or pro- ceedings published by or under the authority of the Council, if the court or jury, as the case may be be satisfied that such ex- tract or abstract was published bonâ fide and without malice, judgment or verdict, as the case may be, shall be entered for the defendant or accused.
22. The powers of the Speaker under this Ordinance shall be supplementary to any powers conferred on him by the Constitution and Elections Ordinance, or the Standing Orders.