4
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1978
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO ASSURED THAT HIS POWER TO REQUIRE
A MAN TO BE DETAINED PENDING A REVIEW WOULD BE EXERCISED WITH GREAT CARE AND HE DID NOT EXPECT A FLOOD OF APPLICATIONS FROM HIM FOR REVIEW OF BAIL DECISIONS.
+NEVERTHELESS, I THINK THAT THESE PROPOSALS WILL EFFECT A USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND WILL ENABLE A FRESH MIND TO BE BROUGHT TO BEAR IN A
DIFFICULT CASE, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) BILL BECOMES LAW *******
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG SUGGESTED THAT INSTEAD OF EXACTING A LEVY ON OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF VEHICLES, FUNDS FOR THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME COULD BE RAISED BY INCREASING THE COST OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.
+AFTER
+TWENTY CENTS A GALLON WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH, HE SAID. ALL, THE MORE A VEHICLE IS ON THE ROAD, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.+
HE SAID THIS METHOD IS THE MOST EQUITABLE, TIME AND MANPOWER SAVING AND COMMENDED IT TO THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD EXPERIENCE SHOW THAT THE PROPOSED METHOD OF LEVY PROVES CUMBERSOME, EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING, AND THOUGHT TO BE UNFAIR.
HE HAD ASKED THAT THE WHOLE BURDEN BE BORNE BY GENERAL REVENUE AS A SOCIAL WELFARE MEASURE. HE NOW RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THE OFFICIAL VIEW THAT THE LARGER PART OF IT SHOULD BE BORNE BY CAR OWNERS AND DRIVERS BECAUSE IN PRACTICE, A PERSON NOT SER IOUSLY INJURED, BUT THROUGH THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER, WOULD MAKE A CLAIM, SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WILL NOT HAVE TO GO TO COURT.
IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, HE HAD PLEADED FOR DRASTIC REFORM OF THE LAWS AND HAD SAID THAT IT MIGHT BE RIGHT TO INTRODUCE A MOTOR INSURANCE BUREAU AS AN ALTERNATIVE.
HE WELCOMED NEWSPAPER REPORTS THAT DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND INSURERS APPEARED TO BE REACHING A CONCLUSION ON INTRODUCING SUCH A BUREAU.
THE HON. WONG LAM, ALSO SPEAKING ON THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) BILL, SUGGESTED THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR A VICTIM TO SUFFER A LOSS OF AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS' INCOME OR LEARNING CAPACITY BEFORE HE IS ELIGIBLE SHOULD BE WAIVED OR OTHER- WISE SHORTENED.
/+THE.....