TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
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CURRENTLY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICING THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE BUT IT IS INTENDED THAT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL SERVICE THE COMMITTEE IN FUTURE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNMENT'S FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES OF THE FAR EASTERN RELIEF FUND WHICH IS A FUND UNDERWRITTEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
AS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AGREED TO UNDERWRITE THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND, FURTHER CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO WHETHER THIS ASSURANCE MIGHT BE REFLECTED IN THE LAW TOGETHER WITH AN APPEALS PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF AN APPLICANT BEING REFUSED A GRANT, OR WHERE AN EXISTING GRANT IS TERMINATED OR REDUCED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
LEGCO TO DEAL WITH SIX BILLS
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A NEW BILL, KNOWN AS THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), WITH DEBATE TO BE ADJOURNED TO JANUARY 25.
SECTION 4 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE. WHICH PROHIBITS TRAFFICKING IN DANGEROUS DRUGS, MAKES IT A DEFENCE TO A CHARGE UNDER THIS SECTION THAT THE DRUGS ARE IN TRANSIT.
THE OBJECT OF THE BILL IS TO CONFINE THIS DEFENCE TO CASES WHERE DANGEROUS DRUGS ARE IN LAWFUL TRANSIT, HAVING REGARD TO THE CONVENTIONS REGULATING SUCH TRANSIT.
THE COUNCIL WILL RESUME DEBATE TOMORROW ON FIVE BILLS 1 DEBTORS (ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT) BILL 1983, SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1983, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.
THESE BILLS WILL THEN GO THROUGH THE IR COMMITTEE STAGE AND FINAL READINGS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE 10 QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES.
THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF SESSIONAL PAPERS AND STATEMENTS.
THE STATEMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO, ON THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT, AND BY THE HON CHEN SHOU-LUM ON THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 6.
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