WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1986
22
WIDER MEMBERSHIP FOR ANTIQUITIES BOARD
****
AMENDMENTS TO THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASED MEMBERSHIP OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AND FOR THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT ITS CHAIRMAN, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR LIAO SAID: THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDE THAT THE SAME GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES. IS BOTH THE ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD WHICH ADVISES HIM.
+THIS ARRANGEMENT IS INAPPROPRIATE IN THAT GIVING ONE OFFICIAL THIS DUAL ROLE DOES NOT PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CHECKS AND BALANCES.
+ THE BILL AMENDS THIS SITUATION BY PROVIDING THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHALL BE A PERSON APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES WILL REMAIN THE ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY,+ HE SAID.
MR LIAO SAID THE BILL WOULD REMOVE THE PRESENT LIMIT OF NINE MEMBERS ON THE BOARD WHICH INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN.
+ THE WORK OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD COVERS A NUMBER OF DISCIPLINES AND REQUIRES A SIMILARLY WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTISE TO BE REPRESENTED ON IT, HE SAID.
+
+ THE PRESENT LIMIT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED TO BE UNNECESSARILY RESTRICTIVE,+ HE ADDED.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE BILL INCLUDED THE DELETION OF THE POST OF VICE-CHAIRMAN WHICH HAD NO ROLE OR STATUTORY POWERS, AND PROVIDED FOR THE SETTING UP OF A QUORUM AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF NOT LESS THAN HALF THE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/23