+
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1986
GOVERNOR RETURNING TUESDAY
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG FROM LONDON ON TUESDAY (MAY 20) INSTEAD OF SUNDAY AS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED. THIS WILL ENABLE HIM TO HAVE MORE TIME FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS.
CHANGES PROPOSED IN STRUCTURE OF ANTIQUITIES BOARD
*****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO CHANGE THE PRESENT STRUCTURE OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 PROVIDED FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD TO BE A PERSON APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT STATUTORY ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY THE SAME GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, IS BOTH THE ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD WHICH ADVISES IT, IS CONSIDERED OUTDATED, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CHECKS AND BALANCES.
THE BILL ALSO REMOVES THE PRESENT LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THE CURRENT LIMIT OF NINE WHICH INCLUDES THE CHAIRMAN AND THE POST OF VICE-CHAIRMAN HAS PROVED UNNECESSARILY RESTRICTIVE AND HAS HAMPERED THE WORK OF THE BOARD.
+TO ALLOW FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF A WIDER RANGE OF EXPERTISE, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE REMOVAL OF THIS STATUTORY LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL DELETE THE POST OF VICE-CHAIRMAN, PROVIDE FOR MEMBERS IN THE ABSENCE OF THE CHAIRMAN TO ELECT FROM AMONG THEMSELVES A PERSON TO PRESIDE AT A MEETING AND FOR A QUORUM AT A MEETING OF NOT LESS THAN HALF THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD WHICH SUPPORTED THE PROPOSALS.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 28. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, OR TO UMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
/5