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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ADOPTED AND PROMOTED PROPOSALS FROM THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN A WAY THAT WAS NOT MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE FORMS SUGGESTED BY THE COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT.
THAT THE AD HOC GROUP WAS ABLE TO FIND WAYS OF FURTHER REFINING SOME ALREADY SOPHISTICATED PROPOSALS WAS NOT AN ADVERSE REFLECTION UPON THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, BUT RATHER A CONFIRMATION OF THE FACT THAT NO LAW REFORM PROPOSAL IS EVER PERFECT, PERHAPS NOT EVEN NOW, AND THAT WITH TIME AND HINDSIGHT AND WITH NEW PERSPECTIVES, IT OFTEN HAPPENS THAT NEW, AND BETTER, WAYS OF DEALING WITH PROBLEMS ARE BROUGHT TO LIGHT.+
MR THOMAS SAID THIS WAS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT IN THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY MISS TAM TO THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL'S PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE LOST YEARS' CLAIM WHICH AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE ESTATE OF A DECEASED PERSON WAS COMPENSATED FOR WHAT IT LOST AS A RESULT OF THE DECEASED'S PREMATURE DEATH.
IN ENGLAND THIS CLAIM HAD BEEN COMPLETELY ABOLISHED. PARLIAMENT HAD SEEN NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH BESET IT.
HOWEVER, MISS TAM'S AMENDMENT ACHIEVED THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING THIS ASPECT IN THE SIMPLEST WAY POSSIBLE".
MR THOMAS SAID HE HAD NOTICED THE HON PETER C. WONG'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE DESIRABILITY OF AMALGAMATING ALL THE PROVISIONS IN THE LAW RELATING TO DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH INTO ONE ORDINANCE.
+ I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR HIS SUGGESTION, BUT IT IS NOT AS EASY TO IMPLEMENT AS MIGHT AT FIRST SIGHT APPEAR.+
HE INTENDED TO KEEP THE WHOLE MATTER UNDER REVIEW AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MEET THE SUGGESTION.
CALL TO REVIEW PRISONERS WELFARE FUND USE *****
THE USE OF THE PRISONERS WELFARE FUND SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND EXPANDED TO ASSIST PRISONERS AFTER DISCHARGE, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE PRISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID ALTHOUGH THE FUND HAD IN FACT EXISTED FOR MANY YEARS, NO MONEY HAD EVER BEEN DISBURSED FOR HELPING EX-PRISONERS.
/+HERE 1