- 3.
2:
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Sir
to
provides ample opportunity for interested
parties express their views on the Bill before a final decision is made by this Council, and I am pleased to note that the two learned bodies have taken that opportunity.
The two bodies
bodies have emphasised the need to preserve the independence of the Judiciary. I do not think there can be any doubt about this. Indeed, as I said earlier, the Bill now before Members is part of a package of measures designed to underline and enhance that. independence. I might add that the proposals embodied in the Bill have the full agreement of the Judiciary itself.
Si, I now turn to the specific queries raised by the
و
two learned bodies.
First, they have asked whether the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission should remain as members of the Judicial Service le Commission.
Commission. The Government's view is that it would be entirely appropriate that they should do so : the Attorney General, because of his role as the Governor's principal adviser on legal matters; and the Chairman, Public Service Commission, because of his independent status and his expertise in appointment matters.
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Secondly, they have asked whether the lay members of the Judicial Service Commission should be selected and appointed by the Governor. The Government's view is that they should, in line with the well-established system in Hong Kong.