WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1980
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EXPIRY DATE OF LAW STUDENT ENROLMENT LEGISLATION EXTENDED
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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS EXTENDED THE EXPIRY DATE OF SECTION 26AA OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE, WHICH RESTRICTS THE ENROLMENT OF NON-LAW GRADUATE STUDENTS, BY THREE MONTHS TO MARCH 31, 1981 TO GIVE MORE TIME TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO STUDY THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON NOVEMBER 28, 1980.
THIS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE IF THE SECTION EXPIRES BEFORE THE BILL IS ENACTED, THERE WILL BE NOTHING TO PREVENT NON-GRADUATES FROM ENROLLING AS STUDENTS AND CREATING THE VERY DIFFICULTIES WHICH THE AMENDMENT LEGISLATION WAS INTENDED TO PREVENT.
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SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED
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SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR COVERING A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $122 MILLION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED THAT $106 MILLION OF THE SUM WAS REQUIRED FOR EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AS A RESULT OF MORE RAPID PROGRESS ON A NUMBER OF EXISTING PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE UPGRADING OF NINE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION HAD NOT RESULTED IN A NET INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE, SINCE OFFSETTING SAVINGS HAD BEEN FOUND ELSEWHERE.
BILLS PASSED
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SIX BILLS PASSED THE IR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY ARE THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS BILL 1980, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1979-80) BILL 1980, THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE PUBLIC OFFICERS (ASSIGNMENT OF EMOLUMENTS) BILL 1980 AND THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1980.
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