~
It was con-
the Funds out of which payments had been made which might re-
quire indemnity, were not received until the night of the 30th
April. Meanwhile the definition of Hongkong money or fund
had been modelled on that of Malayan money or fund with such
modifications as appeared to be called for by local conditions.
See for example paragraph (b) of the definition.
sidered that the simplest way to cover expressly any exchange
or coin security fund which had not been expressly referred to
in the Bill prior to receipt of the said instructions was to
insert the words "or out of any exchange or coin security fund"
after the word "fund" in line two of clause 3 (1) (c) of the
Bill (now Section 3 (1) (c) of the Ordinance).
This amendment
was accordingly moved and passed in Committee. We appear to
be still ignorant of the precise details of the payments made
out of the funds mentioned in Signal No.55935 CA6 to the Com-
mander-in-Chief, Hongkong dated the 27th April, 1946. I con-
sider that these details should be obtained as well as any re-
imbursements made or proposed not only for the purpose of con-
sidering whether any further amendment is required but to ans-
wer inquiries from members of Executive or Legislative Council
or from the public.
A.
22
I attach a copy of the Bill as amended. The Sche-
dule shows differences between the Singapore and the Hongkong
Ordinances. The interpretations of "appellate authority" and
"order" and the consequential amendments to Section 4 of the
Ordinance were referred to the Colonial Office and agreed.
Sub-section 3 of Section 4 was slightly re-cast and express
reference made to remission in accordance with the Prison Rules
to remove any doubt that remission could be applied without an
express order of the Governor. Remission in accordance with
such rules has been in full operation throughout the British
Military Administration.
5. In order to combat the possible criticism that the
Indemnity should not extend to acts of the Government of Hong-
kong after the resumption of Civil Government, it was announced