WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1979
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BILLS TO TIDY UP THREE STATUTORY BODIES
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THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
BILL 1979' IN THE LEGISLATIVE
MR. JEAFFRESON SAID ALL THREE AMENDMENT BILLS INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE THREE ORGANISATIONS.
+THIS IS A LONG-STOP PROVISION DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT QUICKLY IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH AN ORGANISATION IS FAILING TO ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, HE EXPLAINED.
MR. JEAFFRESON ADDED THAT ON THE PRESENT PERFORMANCE OF ALL THREE ORGANISATIONS, IT WAS CLEARLY MOST UNLIKELY THAT THESE PROVISIONS WOULD EVER HAVE TO BE INVOKED.
HE SAID THAT AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HE INCLUDED IN THE BILL AN AMENDMENT TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL'S PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CENTRE.
+TWO OTHER AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED IN RESPECT OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID.
THEY ARE:
* PROVISION FOR THE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION'S
EXECUTIVE HEAD TO BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR, AND
* PROVISION FOR THE INVESTMENT OF FUNDS NOT IMMEDIATELY
REQUIRED BY THE ASSOCIATION TO BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
THE DEBATE ON THE THREE MOTIONS WAS ADJOURNED.
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