WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1989
15
MORE FLEXIBILITY IN PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES PROPOSED
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OF
GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES TO MEMBERS THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IS PROVIDED BY TWO AMENDMENT BILLS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READINGS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT SECTION 39(3)(B) OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE AND SECTION 41(3)(B) OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE RESTRICTED THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES то MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO MEET ONLY EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISCHARGE OF A MEMBER'S OFFICE.
THE PROVISIONS, AT THEY NOW STOOD, DID NOT COVER MEMBERS' LOSS OF SALARY OR WAGES AS A RESULT OF THEIR ATTENDANCE TO COUNCIL DUTIES.
"LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE THEREFORE REQUIRED TO REMOVE THIS RESTRICTION, HE SAID.
"
FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT
OF THE AMENDMENT LEGISLATION, THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES TO MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WOULD BE BROUGHT IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND OMELCO.
THE PROPOSAL WAS, HOWEVER, NOT CONNECTED WITH ALLOWANCES, THE MAXIMUM OF WHICH WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE COUNCILS THEMSELVES.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS INITIATED COUNCIL AND HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
DEBATES ON THE TWO BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
THE LEVEL OF DETERMINED BY
BY THE URBAN
PRIVATE BILL ON BANK MERGER PROPOSAL
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HONG KONG HAS AN INTEREST IN AFFORDING CERTAINTY AND SECURITY OF BUSINESS TO INTERNATIONAL BANKS OPERATING HERE, THE HON DAVID LI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF A PRIVATE BILL, THE FIRST PACIFIC BANK BILL.
THE BILL SEEKS TO GIVE LEGAL EFFECT TO THE MERGER PROPOSAL OF THE FAR EAST BANK AND FIRST PACIFIC BANK.
/MR LI