HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 355
OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting of 24th October, 1956.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (PRESIDENT)
SIR ALEXANDER WILLIAM GEORGE HERDER GRANTHAM, G.C.M.G. HIS EXCELLENCY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY STRATTON, C.B., C.V.O., C.B.E., D.S.O. THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY
MR. EDGEWORTH BERESFORD DAVID, C.M.G.
THE HONOURABLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
MR. ARTHUR RIDEHALGH, Q.C.
THE HONOURABLE THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS
MR. BRIAN CHARLES KEITH HAWKINS, C.M.G., O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
MR. ARTHUR GRENFELL CLARKE, C.M.G.
THE HONOURABLE THEODORE LOUIS BOWRING, C.M.G., O.B.E.
(Director of Public Works).
THE HONOURABLE DAVID RONALD HOLMES, M.B.E., M.C., E.D.
(Director of Urban Services).
THE HONOURABLE PATRICK CARDINALL MASON SEDGWICK
(Commissioner of Labour).
DR. THE HONOURABLE CHAU SIK NIN, C.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE CHARLES EDWARD MICHAEL TERRY, O.B.E. THE HONOURABLE LO MAN WAI, C.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE NGAN SHING-KWAN, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE DHUN JEHANGIR RUTTONJEE.
THE HONOURABLE CEDRIC BLAKER, M.C., E.D.
THE HONOURABLE KWOK CHAN, O.B.E.
DR. THE HONOURABLE ALBERTO MARIA RODRIGUES, M.B.E., E.D. MR. RONALD THOMPSON (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:
DR. THE HONOURABLE YEO KOK CHEANG, C.M.G.
(Director of Medical and Health Services).
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MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10th October, 1956, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by Command of His Excellency the Governor, laid upon the table the following papers: —
Subject. G.N. No.
Cremation Ordinance.
Cremation (Fees) Regulations, 1956 ....................................... A. 95.
Distribution of German Enemy Property Ordinance, 1956.
Distribution of German Enemy Property (Amendment)
Regulations, 1956 ....................................... ..................... A. 96.
Supreme Court Ordinance.
Adoption Ordinance, 1956.
Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules, 1956 .................................... A. 98.
Emergency Regulations Ordinance.
Emergency (Detention) Regulations, 1956 ............................... A. 99.
EXPORTATION (IMPERIAL PREFERENCE
CERTIFICATES) REGULATIONS, 1956.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved the following resolution: —
Resolved, pursuant to the provisions of section 16 of the Importation and Exportation Ordinance, that the Exportation (Imperial Preference Certificates) Regulations, 1956, made by the Governor in Council on the 9th day of October, 1956, under section 4 of the Importation and Exportation Ordinance (Chapter 50), be approved.
He said: Sir, the purpose of these regulations is set forth in the explanatory note, but I should perhaps add that the issue of Imperial Preference certificates is nothing new. Their issue has kept pace with the development of industry in the Colony which followed on the establishment of Imperial Preference by the Ottawa agreements, but the powers of the Director of Commerce
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and Industry, who endorses these certificates issued by accountants, are a little nebulous, and in view of certain irregularities which have occurred at intervals during the past few months it has been felt advisable to provide specific powers for the Director to deal with any abuses.
The regulations have been agreed by trade organizations in the Colony and by the Trade and Industry Advisory Committee.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1956.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved the following resolution: —
Resolved that the Supplementary Provisions for the quarter ended 31st March, 1956, as set out in Schedule No. 5 of 1955/56 (Final), be approved.
He said: Sir, this schedule is the last one for the financial year 1955/56 and as such it includes a considerable number of very small items which represent minor over-spending of votes.
The total of $20½ millions looks rather large, but it includes $13½ millions to which reference was made in the course of the Budget debate. This sum represents a transfer from general revenue to the Development Fund, and of this $3½ millions is for the purpose of clearing the Hong Kong Stadium account with that fund. The purposes for which the other $10 millions were required were set forth at the time, and since that date it has been necessary to appropriate $5 millions for Civil Servants Cooperative Housing Societies. I am glad to say that these are now going along very well. Three schemes have been completed and others are well advanced. I am told that the total of such cooperatives is now in excess of a hundred, and Government hopes that these admirable self-help societies will do their part in solving the Colony's housing problem.
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All the items have already been approved by the Finance Committee and the covering approval of this Council is now required.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, Chapter 221."
He said: Sir, the objects of this Bill are succinctly stated in the "Objects and Reasons", and I would only add that if the proceedings at criminal trials in the Supreme Court are recorded by shorthand or some mechanical means, there will be a considerable saving of time for all concerned.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a First time.
Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows: —
The purpose of this Bill, in conjunction with rules which it is proposed should be made under the principal Ordinance, is—
(a) to clarify the position as to persons under the age of 18 years convicted of offences which would otherwise necessitate the imposition of sentence of death; and
(b) to make obligatory the taking of a shorthand note or of some other record of proceedings at the trial of a person on indictment.
2. The opportunity has been taken to make an amendment of terminology consequential on the enactment of the Prisons Ordinance, 1954.
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PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION
(AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Public Services Commission Ordinance, Chapter 93."
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clauses 1 and 2 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY reported that the Public Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
ADJOURNMENT.
H. E. THE GOVERNOR: —That concludes the business, gentlemen. When is it your pleasure that we should meet again?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —May I suggest this day fortnight?
H. E. THE GOVERNOR: —Council will adjourn to this day fortnight.