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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL APPEALS APPROVED
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A SCHEME OF LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL APPEALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL, IDENTICAL TO THAT PROVIDED IN CIVIL APPEALS, WAS TODAY APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN MOVING THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL, THE LAW DRAFTSMAN THE HON PAUL NAZARETH STRESSED THAT LEGAL AID WOULD NOT BÉ AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDED IN ALL CRIMINAL APPEALS.
HE SAID A MEANS TEST WOULD HAVE TO BE MET AND THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT AN APPLICANT HAD REASONABLE LEGAL GROUNDS FOR SEEKING TO APPEAL.
MR NAZARETH SAID AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES RULES ALSO PROVIDED FOR A RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST REFUSAL OF LEGAL AID.
RECIPROCAL MEDICAL ACCORD WITH BRITAIN
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UNDER RECIPROCAL HEALTH CARE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO BRITAIN WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED WITH ALL IMMEDIATE NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE ON THE SAME TERMS AS PERSONS ORDINARILY RESIDENT THERE, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON ERIC HO, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT REGULATIONS CONCERNING CHARGES FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE BEING LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT TO COME INTO EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR. THESE REGULATIONS WILL PROVIDE FOR FREE TREATMENT IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES, INCLUDING ACCIDENTS, EMERGENCY AND CASUALTY CASES, BUT WILL REQUIRE CHARGES TO BE LEVIED IN OTHER CASES ON PERSONS NOT ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
AMONG THOSE EXEMPTED FROM THE NEW CHARGES ARE VISITORS (INCLUDING STUDENTS) WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ONE YEAR, AND PEOPLE FROM COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES HAVING RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM.
UNITED KINGDOM VISITORS TO HONG KONG WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL IMMEDIATE NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS ON THE SAME BASIS AS HONG KONG RESIDENTS, MR HO SAID, THE RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS, HOWEVER, WILL NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO GO TO EACH OTHER'S TERRITORY FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF OBTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT, MS HO SAID.
HE SAID THAT TO ESTABLISH THE IR ELIGIBILITY FOR TREATMENT, HONG KONG VISITORS WILL BE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A VALID IDENTITY CARD, PASSPORT OR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
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