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Wednesday, July 19, 1972
Speaking in support of the bill, Dr. the Hon. C.. Chung pointed out
that it was misleading to suggest that a small batch of "good" numbers are at
present reserved for members of the Legislative and Executive Councils.
He pointed out that this may have been true in the early years, but
the practice no longer exists, and he emphasised that no such special privileges
should be granted to members of the two Councils, members of the Government or
other bodies.
To dispel the popular misconception that members of Umelco are exempted
from the Road Traffic Ordinance Dr. Chung said: "There are instances in which
honourable Members were fined not only for driving in excess of speed limit
but also for minor parking offences."
In reply, the Financial Secretary, gave an assurance that charity had not
been "robbed" of a substantial sum by a delay in the introduction of legislation.
"In fact", he said, "since November 1969, pending the introduction of the
legislation, the Commissioner for Transport has issued no further registration
numbers which would qualify for inclusion in the list of 'good' numbers."
Mr. Haddon-Cave said that there were now over 3,000 'good' numbers in
reserve and those would be auctioned in suitable batches at carefully pre-
determined intervals.
He also said that his statement about a small batch of numbers being
reserved for members of the Legislative and Executive Councils had been made in
the context of a description of the established practice in the Transport
Department in allocating registration numbers. Certain numbers had in fact been
set aside and allocated in the past to members of the two oouncils, although
the practice had now ceased.
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