2
Motions.
The Financial Secretary to move that the Supplementary Provision for the second quarter ended 30th September, 1947, Schedule No. 2 of 1947/48 be approved.
The Attorney General to move the Second and Third readings of p
A Bill intituled "An Ordinance to provide for the formation and to regulate
the operation of co-operative societies."
17
A Bill intituled "An Ordinance further to amend the Factories and Work-
shops Ordinance, 1937.“
G.
R.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HONG KONG
Meeting to be held on Thursday, 23rd October, 1947, at 2.30 p.m.
ALASTAIR TODD, Deputy Clerk of Councils,
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Confirmation of Minutes of meeting held on 1th October, 1947.
2. Questions.
3. Motions.
29
Questions.
The Honourable R. D. Gillespie, pursuant to notice, will ask the following
question :-
On the 30th August, 1948, with reference to vehicles requisitioned during December. 1941, a Government announcement appeared in the Press, paragraph 4 of which read as follows :-
"4. Owners of vehicles who can produce definite evidence that their vehicles became a total loss before 25th December, 1941 will be paid compensation for the value of the vehicle.
If they cannot produce definite evidence of destruction they shoulil take no action at present, but should submit their claims to the Tribunal referred to in paragraph 3.**
On October 9th, 1947 a letter, purporting to be signed by the Colonial Secretary, was quoted in the "South China Morning Post". This letter contained the following paragraph -
"In view of the nature and duration of the battle operations and the subsequent occupation of the Colony, it is considered that generally the loss or damage of requisitioned property was the result of war operations, in circumstances which do not permit acceptance by this Government of liability to pay compensation."
It would appear that this letter completely reverses Government's original
decision.
Would Government, therefore, please state :-
1. Its reasons for this change of attitude?
2. Whether its policy is in conformity with that of the British
Government?