WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1985
MEANWHILE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAD ANY COMMENTS TO MAKE ON THE EXISTING STANDING ORDERS OR ON THE NEED FOR AMENDMENT WERE INVITED TO WRITE TO THE CLERK OF COUNCILS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
THE ORDERS WERE INCLUDED IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG AND WERE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, HE SAID.
MR THOMAS WAS SPEAK ING WHEN MOVING THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE RESOLUTION, WAS TWOFOLD:
+FIRST, IT PROVIDES FOR AMENDMENTS TO STANDING ORDERS 1, 6 AND 11 IN ORDER TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO TAKE THE ALTERNATIVE FORM OF DATH PROVIDED FOR IN THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE RECENTLY ENACTED BY THIS COUNCIL AND WHICH WAS BROUGHT INTO FORCE BY A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE FOR JULY 5. THIS AMENDMENT IS DESIGNED TO PERMIT THE SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBERS AT THE FIRST SITTING OF THE NEW SESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVISED PROCEDURES.
+SECOND, THE RESOLUTION PROVIDES FOR AN AMENDMENT TO STANDING ORDER 63. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN SITTINGS OF A SELECT COMMITTEE ARE HELD IN PUBLIC, EVIDENCE AND DOCUMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE HAS PRESENTED ITS REPORT TO THE COUNCIL.
+THIS AMENDMENT, WHICH WAS REQUESTED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE TRIAL OF COMMERCIAL CRIME AT ITS MEETING ON JUNE 4 THIS YEAR, WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE TO ITS WORK WHEN IT WISHES TO TAKE EVIDENCE IN PUBLIC.
+ IT WILL REMOVE THE RESTRICTION THAT EXISTS PRESENTLY UPON THE REPORTING OF SUCH EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE HAS PRESENTED ITS REPORT TO THE COUNCIL.+
CHAN ABSTAINS FROM VOTING ON MOTION ****
THE HON K.C. CHAN ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION TO AMEND STAND ING ORDERS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID WHEN THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL WAS DEBATED IN THE COUNCIL IN MAY THIS YEAR, HE HAD ABSTAINED FROM VOTING.
+THE REASONS FOR MY ABSTENTION WERE SET OUT IN MY SPEECH DELIVERED IN THIS COUNCIL ON MAY 15.
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+AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, I SHALL ALSO ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THIS MOTION, HE ADDED.
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