TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1981
NINE UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON RENTS BILL
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NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK TOMORROW WHEN DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 RESUMES.
THE BILL PROPOSES TO EXTEND PART 1 OF THE ORDINANCE FOR TWO FURTHER YEARS BEYOND THE PRESENT EXPIRY DATE OF DECEMBER 18, 1981. AT THE SAME TIME, A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS ARE TO BE MADE ALONG THE LINES PROPOSED BY THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW.
THESE INCLUDE, RAISING THE BIENNIAL PERCENTAGE CEILING ON RENT INCREASES FROM 21 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT, AND, EXCLUDING FROM CONTROLS UNDER PART 1 OF THE ORDINANCE -- PREMISES IN RESPECT OF WHICH AN OCCUPATION PERMIT IS FIRST ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 19, 1981- AFTER DECEMBER 18, 1981, TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH A CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE OF $80 000 OR MORE AND AFTER DECEMBER 18, 1982, TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH A CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE OF $60 300 OR MORE.
AT TOMORROW'S MEETING, NINE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ABOUT A NUMBER OF OTHER MATTERS.
THE HON R.H. LOBO WILL ASK WHAT POSITIVE ACTION THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING TO CONTROL AND ELIMINATE DRUG ABUSE IN SCHOOLS AND WHAT FOLLOW-UP ACTION IS TAKEN WHEN STUDENTS ATTENDING HONG KONG SCHOOLS ARE FOUND TO BE USING DANGEROUS DRUGS.
DR THE HON HENRY HU WILL ASK WHAT MEASURES GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM LATENT HEALTH HAZARDS POSED BY THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
THE HON 0.V. CHEUNG WILL ASK FOR AN ASSURANCE THAT VISITORS AND STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL NOT SUDDENLY FIND THEMSELVES SUBJECTED TO FULL COST CHARGES UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE IF THEY FALL ILL.
ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, DR THE HON HO KAM FAI WILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT MEASURES GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDING WORKERS.
OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERN THE FORTHCOMING MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT TALKS, POSTAL DELIVERY TO VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PYRAMID SELLING ACTIVITIES, THE PROGRESS ON THE PROPOSED EXHIBITION CENTRE, AND THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE AND THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE.
EIGHTEEN NEW BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN COUNCIL FOR THE IR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, INCLUDING THE ARMS AND AMMUN IT IONS BILL, THE WEAPONS BILL AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS) BILL. DEBATE IS TO RESUME ON 11 OTHER BILLS.
THE REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP 1980 WILL ALSO BE TABLED AT TOMORROW'S MEETING.
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