FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1984
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THE TATTOOING OF YOUNG PERSONS BILL 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY IS BASED ON THE UK TATTOOING OF MINORS ACT 1969 WHICH MAKES IT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO TATTOO ANOTHER WHO IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18. THE BILL PROPOSES TO CHARGE THE TATTOO ARTIST WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHECKING THE AGE OF HIS CLIENTS, SUCH AS BY DEMANDING THE PRODUCTION OF AN IDENTITY CARD. THE AGE RESTRICTION WILL NOT APPLY TO TATTOOS PERFORMED FOR MEDICAL REASONS BY A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 11) AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON JULY 25.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO MEET IN PUBLIC
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THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, A STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN FUTURE IS TO MEET IN PUBLIC WHEN CONTROLLING OFFICERS OF SECRETARIAT BRANCHES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE ASKED TO GIVE ACCOUNT OF SPENDINGS OR LOST REVENUE QUERIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR S.L. CHEN AND COMPRISING SIX OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, INTENDS TO HOLD ITS HEARINGS OF EVIDENCE IN PUBLIC WHEN IT RECONVENES LATER THIS YEAR TO CONSIDER THE AUDIT REPORT FOR 1983-84.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR OF HOLDING PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE OTHER STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR. THROUGH WIDE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THESE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS. THE PUBLIC WERE ABLE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO USE THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY IN 1984-85.
THE OPEN MEETINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL FURTHER SHOW HOW THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE USE OF THIS MONEY. THE COMMITTEE MEETS IN NOVEMBER EACH YEAR TO CONSIDER THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT. MOST OF ITS EXAMINATIONS ARE CONCERNED WITH THE VALUE FOR MONEY OBTAINED BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS IN SPENDING THE FUNDS ENTRUSTED TO THEM.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT HAVING MEETINGS IN PUBLIC WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE ITS ROLE AS THE PUBLIC WATCHDOG OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS.
/THE RECOMMENDATIONS