WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1985
30
MOVE TO APPOINT VICE CHAIRMAN
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A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A VICE CHAIRMAN TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL BY THE GOVERNOR WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON G.A. HIGGINSON, SAID THE PROVISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A VÍCE CHAIRMAN WAS TO ALLEVIATE THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY AND WORKLOAD JF THE CHAIRMAN, PARTICULARLY IF THE CHAIRMAN WAS PRECLUDED BY TEMPORARY INCAPACITY OR ABSENCE FROM DISCHARGING HIS DUTIES.
THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO AMEND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE SO THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WOULD CEASE TO BE AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, AND THAT THE TITLE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHOULD BE CHANGED TO THAT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HE SAID.
THESE TWO MINOR AMENDMENTS WERE AIMED AT REFLECTING MORE ACCURATELY THE ROLE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, WHICH PROPOSED THESE AMENDMENTS, SUPPORTED THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
PILOTAGE PROPOSAL REFLECTS PORT ACTIVITY
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THE REQUIREMENT FOR COMPULSORY PILOTAGE REFLECTED THE HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG AND WOULD IMPROVE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON G.A. HIGGINSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PILOTAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, MR HIGGINSON SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO AMEND THE PILOTAGE ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR SHIPS NAVIGATING WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
THE MAJORITY OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPS IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG ALREADY USED THE SERVICES OF PILOTS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, HE SAID.
BUT, IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER, SPEED AND SIZE OF SUCH SHIPS, IT WAS DESIRABLE TO INSIST THAT THEY DO SO.
/+THE BILL