HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 145
Thursday, 19th September, 1946.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR MARK AITCHISON YOUNG, G.C.M.G.).
THE HONOURABLE THE OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (BRIGADIER P. L. LINDSAY).
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. R. R. TODD, Acting) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. G. E. STRICKLAND, Acting).
THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. T. MEGARRY, Acting).
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. C. G. S. FOLLOWS, C.M.G., Acting).
HON. DR. P. S. SELWYN-CLARKE, C.M.G., M.C., (Director of Medical Services)
HON. MR. C. H. SANSOM, C.M.G., C.B.E., (Acting Commissioner of Police). HON. MR. V. KENNIFF (Director of Public Works).
HON. DR. J. P. FEHILY, O.B.E., (Acting Chairman, Urban Council). HON. MR. D. F. LANDALE.
HON. MR. CHAU TSUN-NIN, C.B.E.
HON. MR. LO MAN-KAM, C.B.E.
HON. MR. R. D. GILLESPIE.
HON. DR. CHAU SIK-NIN.
MR. D. R. HOLMES, M.B.E., M.C., (Deputy Clerk of Councils). ABSENT: —
HON. MR. LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO.
146 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on Thursday, 12th September, 1946, were confirmed.
QUESTIONS.
The HON. Mr. R. D. GILLESPIE asked: —
(1) What directives have been made by the Commander-in-Chief or the Senior Officer commanding H.B.M. Forces under Article 5 of the Requisitioning Proclamation (Proclamation No. 20)?
(2) In view of the provisions of Sections 52 and 53 of the Defence Regulations 1940 as extended and adapted by Emergency Powers (Extension) Proclamation (Proclamation No. 30) have either the Military or the Civil Government authority to requisition land for the purpose of providing married quarters for
(a) Service personnel, or
(b) Government servants
in priority to civilian requirements?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied: —
(1) Two directives regarding the requisitioning of' lands and buildings were issued by the Commander-in-Chief during the Military Administration. The first was dated 16th November, 1945, and was cancelled by the second which was issued on the 22nd January, 1946. Both are long documents dealing almost entirely with procedure. The texts of the directives are available in the Secretariat for inspection by any Honourable Member.
(2) It is not Government practice to express in answer to a question an opinion on the legal effect of any enactment which has not been construed by the Courts. Government is however prepared to state that it proposes to use premises requisitioned prior to the 1st November, 1946, to provide married quarters for civilians as well as Government servants and members of His Majesty's Forces and that it has given instructions to the Quartering Authority to the effect that accommodation at present under requisition shall be allocated in an equitable manner as it becomes available.
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MOTIONS.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved: —
That the amendment made by the Urban Council under section 5 of the Public Health (Food) Ordinance, 1935, Ordinance No. 13 of 1935, on 3rd September, 1946, to the by-laws under the heading "Slaughter-houses" set forth in the Schedule to the said Ordinance, be approved.
He said: The amendment gives power to seize meat which has been illegally slaughtered wherever it is found instead of restricting power to meat found in transit between slaughterhouses and markets. The object of the amendment is to enforce the provision whereby meat must be slaughtered in Government slaughter-houses.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was carried. PROTECTED PLACES (SAFETY) BILL, 1946.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to make better provision for the safety of places declared to be protected places."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a Second time.
On the motion of the ATTORNEY GENERAL, seconded by the COLONIAL SECRETARY, Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL: I rise to move that the interpretation of protected places be amended by the deletion of the word "general" in line 3 of Clause 2. The amendment is purely a technical amendment as the correct definition locally is Defence Regulations, 1940.
The amendment was carried.
Council then resumed.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL: I have to report that a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to make better provision for the safety of places declared to be protected places" has passed through Committee with one amendment. I move that the Bill be now read a Third time and passed into law.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a Third time and passed.
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PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS
(AMENDMENT) BILL, 1946.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1938."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Second time.
On the motion of the ATTORNEY GENERAL, seconded by the COLONIAL SECRETARY, Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
Council then resumed.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Protection of Women and Girls (Amendment) Bill, 1946, had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed.
VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATION
(AMENDMENT) BILL, 1946.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Third reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend temporarily the Vehicles and Traffic Regulation Ordinance, 1912."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed.
APPROPRIATION FOR 1946-1947 BILL, 1946.
The FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved the Third reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding One hundred and sixty-one million eight hundred and seventy-one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six dollars to the Public Service of the financial year ending 31st March, 1947."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a Third time and passed.
ADJOURNMENT.
H.E. The GOVERNOR: That concludes our business for today and Council is now adjourned until Thursday, 26tb September, 1946.