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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1980
CLINIC EXEMPTION EXTENDED
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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION TO EXTEND FOR THREE YEARS FROM JANUARY 1, 1981, THE EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN CLINICS FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO BE UNDER THE CHARGE OF A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG, SAID THERE WERE AT PRESENT 304 EXEMPTED CLINICS EMPLOYING 261 UNREGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
HE SAID THERE WERE 321 EXEMPTED CLINICS WITH 289 UNREGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN 1977.
DR THONG SAID THESE CLINICS HAD BEEN REVIEWED AND WAS NOT FOUND TO HAVE CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY.
+THESE CLINICS ARE PROVIDING A USEFUL SERVICE TO MANY AT REASONABLY LOW COST AND THE IR CLOSURE WILL NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, HE SAID.
BILL ON RECOVERY OF ILL-GOTTEN GAINS
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THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION) BILL 1980 WAS PASSED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON G.P. NAZARETH, IN EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT CROWN SERVANTS AND FORMER CROWN SERVANTS COULD BE ORDERED TO DISGORGE ILL-GOTTEN GAINS IN RESPECT OF OFFENCES COMMITTED BEFORE 1974 AND ALSO TO VALIDATE EXISTING COURT ORDERS,
HE SAID THAT UNTIL THIS YEAR IT HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY ALL, INCLUDING THE COURTS, THAT THE ORDER TO PAY TO THE CROWN A SUM NOT EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF THE UNEXPLAINED ASSETS, APPLIED NO LESS TO PRE-1974 OFFENCES, THAN TO POST 1974 OFFENCES.
+ INDEED SOME 14 ORDERS HAVE SINCE 1974 BEEN MADE BY THE COURTS OF PRE-1974 OFFENCES, REQUIRING THE PAYMENT TO THE CROWN OF APPROXIMATELY $30 MILLION,+ HE SAID.
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