FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
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IMMUNITIES FOR CHINESE MEMBERS PROPOSED
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THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO ACCORD APPROPRIATE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO EXPERTS DESIGNATED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP. TO CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMMISSION, AND TO THE SUPPORTING STAFF OF BOTH BODIES.
THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF THE TWO BODIES WHEN THEY MEET IN HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSAL FOLLOWS DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS AND IS CONTAINED IN A BILL TO AMEND THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (JOINT LIAISON GROUP) ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED ON MAY 2 TO PROVIDE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES FOR CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
RECIPROCAL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES WILL BE GRANTED BY
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO THE BRITISH SIDE.
THE FIRST READING OF THE AMENDMENT BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES) AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
PROVISIONAL COUNCIL SETS OUT BUDGET FORECAST
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THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY EXAMINED THE FORECAST OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE FIVE YEARS FROM 1985/86 TO 1989/90, PREPARED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE FORECAST, BASED ON EXPERIENCE IN PAST YEARS, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE BRANCH NEXT MONTH FOR CONSIDERATION,
AS THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BECOME FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS ON APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR, THE FORECAST HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ASPECTS NOT APPLICABLE TO NORMAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS STAFF ON-COSTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY AND TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ACCORDING TO THE FORECAST, THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1986/87 WILL BE ABOUT $829 MILLION, RISING TO ABOUT $913 MILLION AT THE END OF THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.
THE REVENUE TO BE COLLECTED WILL AMOUNT TO 399 MILLION IN 1986/87 RISING TO $139 MILLION IN 1989/90.
THE FORECAST, HOWEVER, DOES NOT INCLUDE EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A SEPARATE PAPER.
THE FORECAST