12
disguise, malpractices.
I am in favour of higher
ethical standards in our business community. They are indeed overdue. But the suggestion in its specifics clearly requires detailed consideration and extensive consultation, and it came too late for this to be possible without holding the Bill up until the next session. The Administration, however, will actively
pursue it.
If a consensus emerges that the relevant provision in this Bill, namely, clause 128, or alternatively the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, is inadequate and needs to be strengthened, having secured ExCo approval, we will put the necessary amendments before this Council. But first there must be further discussion particularly with the I.C.A.C.
29.
Four, both I and my successor share the views of Mr Yeung Po-Kwan and Mr Sohmen on the need properly to staff the Commissioner's Office. This is an issue of the utmost importance to which our attention has for some time been directed. It will continue to be.
30.
My Unofficial Colleagues, who have spoken this afternoon, have raised other points on the implementation of the Bill. I welcome their general support; in particular that of Mr Stephen--Cheong, Mr Poon and Dr Ip. Amongst other points the register of banks and DTC's that Dr Ip referred to will be available for public inspection in the Commissioner's Office, but it's availabilty will need to be publicised. Mr Clydesdale drew attention to the problem of nominee companies, and raised the idea of a Banking Commission. Naturally I much welcome Mr Cheong-Leen's wise comments on the need to avoid banking collapses, and Mr Cheong'e much valued support. This view clearly has majority support howver much we all deplore that the situation has arisen in the first place. For the sake of brevity I will not respond in further detail, but the